ICC World Cup 2019: Match 34, Windies vs India, Preview – Gritty Men in Blue set to flex muscles to dent Caribbeans confidence

Going by recent forms of both teams, it will be difficult for the Windies to stay on level terms with the quality of this Indian team.

Published - 26 Jun 2019, 13:29 IST | Updated - 26 Jun 2019, 13:29 IST

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If the Windies had won that game against New Zealand, they would’ve encountered India with the other level invigoration. Their semifinal hopes are still alive, but they need a lot of things to go their way and results as well. It is very difficult to expect so many games to go your way. They’re on the edge, but they primarily have to win their remaining games before dreaming way too much.

The Indians were on a stellar run before they locked horns with Afghanistan. They did manage to win the game but it took a monumental effort for them to go over the line. Mohammed Shami turned out to be a perfect replacement for the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he chipped in with four wickets, which includes a hat-trick.

Going by recent forms of both teams, it will be difficult for the Windies to stay on level terms with the quality of this Indian contingent. Both sides are coming into this game with contrasting results but with a common factor of nerve-wracking matches. It will be interesting to see what changes they will make in their lineups.

Playing Combinations

Windies

Sunil Ambris has joined the squad as Andre Russell‘s replacement and could be in the playing XI to take Evin Lewis’ place. Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder will have to bat more responsibly in the middle with Russell’s absence. Shai Hope, Pooran and Hetmyer will be forming the middle order. Ashley Nurse could come in place of Russell in the XI with Cottrell, Roach and Thomas being the three premium fast bowling options.

Probable XI

Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis/Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas

India

Vijay Shankar will continue batting at number four with the top three remaining the same. Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya will continue to bat according to the situation and their numbers are never confirmed. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami formed a great partnership in the previous game and once again will be crucial in the death overs. Kuldeep and Chahal will be handling the middle overs alongside Hardik Pandya.

Probable XI

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

Focus will be on

Sheldon Cottrell (Windies)

Without a shadow of a doubt, Sheldon Cottrell has been their best player this tournament. Just the exuberance of this fast bowler in whatever he does is very contagious and gets his teammates and fans going. He was outstanding with the ball against a solid New Zealand batting lineup and will pose a serious challenge to the Indian top order with the new ball.

MS Dhoni (India)

It is no new thing for the former Indian captain to be under the scanner for not playing at an impressive strike-rate, but MS Dhoni was severely criticized, even by the great Sachin Tendulkar for his knock against Afghanistan. All eyes will be on the great man to see if he can do something magical in Manchester to make up for his previous knock and his strike rate once again will be a talking point.