West Indies V India, 5th ODI Preview: Hosts seek series-leveling win, India looking to learn from mistakes

Most of the fans in India had switched off their TV sets when India restricted the home side at 189 for 9, thinking that India will saunter past the West Indies easily. Led by Jason Holder’s 5/27, the hosts made life difficult for the Indian batsmen, subsequently winning the game by 11 runs and thereby bringing the otherwise meandering series alive.

India lost their first game against West Indies after three years. They have given the right results in ODI cricket but of late they have lost against Pakistan, who is a No. 8th ranked team; Sri Lanka, who is at No. 7 and West Indies, who are not even in the top 8. Their over-reliance on the top order is a worrying sign. Dhoni’s finishing powers have been a little up and down in recent time which is another concern for the Men in Blue. The role of Ashwin and Jadeja has to be decided going forward as clearly, both haven’t been in form in ODI cricket. With so many question marks, India must still win the final ODI to take the series 3-1.

West Indies must be proud of the way they squeezed India for runs in the last game. Holder led the way and the likes of Williams, Nurse and Bishoo were outstanding in the middle overs against Dhoni, who is hailed to be the best in the business during the middle overs of a chase. The home side will have their tails up going into the final ODI of the series at the Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Toss: Windies won the toss and opted to bat

Virat Kohli: Not a bad option to bowl first. We are unchanged as we go in today. We decided in the last game that we would go in with the same team over the last two games and that is why we made that change. Not a bad time to be bowling first, would look to restrict them to a low total. It is always nice to reflect what went wrong when we lose games. We are a team that always does that and the boys are keen to go out there and rectify. A hiccup here and there always happens and you have to take it in your stride. Definitely, as a player you want to contribute in every game but you also have to understand that it isn’t going to happen everytime. When you’ve played for a while you realize that. You have to respect the opposition and the conditions. In the end it is important for me to win matches. Even if I do not do well it is important for someone else to step up and perform.

Jason Holder: We are going to bat first. Looks like a good track and we’d look to put up a good total. We did it well in the last game and hopefully would do it again. We are confident, obviously our batsmen haven’t been doing that well and it is an opportunity and another day to do well. We are going in with the same team. Yes, the guys are rejuvenated after the last game and are raring to go.

Playing XI

India: Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami

Windies: Evin Lewis, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope(w), Roston Chase, Jason Mohammed, Jason Holder(c), Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Kesrick Williams

Focus will be on

Shikhar Dhawan

The Delhi opener started the series exceptionally well by making two half-centuries. However, in the last two games, Dhawan has just 7 runs to his name. He is coming off from a magical run in the Champions Trophy and must look to get a big one in the final ODI. The emergence of Rahane, who has made 297 runs in four games, will keep Dhawan on his toes. The competition for a spot in the XI is fierce in the Indian team at the moment and Dhawan must not rest on his laurels. The 31-year old should make use of the opportunity of playing against an average attack, though the conditions have been tough for stroke making. In international cricket, one cannot be willy-nilly about their natural game and should adapt to the pace of the wicket before playing attacking strokes.

Roston Chase

25-year old Chase has established himself in the Test side but is still treading water as far as limited overs cricket is concerned. Chase was initially batting very low in the order before he was promoted to bat at No. 4 in the last two games. He got out at 2 but showed promise in the next game, making 24. He will be disappointed in not cashing in on the opportunity. The all-rounder has the right technique to succeed in ODI cricket. Chase must look to take his time and be more cautious against the mystery spin of Kuldeep Yadav, to which the right-hander has been dismissed twice in two games in identical fashion. There is palpable pressure on him, especially after conceding 16 runs in an over which nearly got India home the other day. His off-spin bowling can be used by Holder during the middle overs first before throwing the ball at him at crucial junctures.

Team Combinations

India

There is a lot of pressure on the India think-tank to give Rishabh Pant an opportunity. Still, only 19, a couple of international games will do him a lot of good. He might come in to replace Dinesh Karthik or might have to spend another game on the sidelines. Shikhar Dhawan, Rahane and Kohli will form the top order of India. Yuvraj’s availability will depend on his recovery from a hamstring niggle and if he is deemed unfit; one of Karthik and Pant will play. Dhoni, Jadhav and Pandya will form the middle order, which needs to collectively perform during crunch stages of a game. Jadeja is all but certain to miss out to Ashwin as Kuldeep has done no harm in making a case for himself in the final game. Bhuvneshwar is expected to come back into the side and is likely to open the bowling alongside Umesh Yadav.

West Indies

The hosts will retain the same XI for this game. Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Kyle Hope, Roston Chase and Jason Mohammad; all got off to starts but failed to capitalise. They will again be the key batsmen of the side and must learn from their mistakes. The conditions for batting are expected to be a little easier which gives another reason for the top order to build an innings. It is about time Holder gets going at No. 6. He has enough talent to make telling contributions with the bat. His form with the ball has been exceptional. Alzarri Joseph too bowled well and will share the new ball with skipper Holder. Rovman Powell and Ashley Nurse are utility players who can perform with both bat and bowl. Nurse has been a terrific bowler for the home side during the series. He will lead the spin department alongside Devendra Bishoo. After a decent performance in the last game, Kesrick Williams is expected to hold onto his place and be the third medium pacer of the side.

Predicted XI

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav.

West Indies: Kyle Hope, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jason Mohammad, Jason Holder (c), Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph and Kesrick Williams.

Stats Attack

56- runs required by MS Dhoni to become the fourth highest run-getter in ODIs for India. He will go past Azharuddin’s tally of 9378 ODI runs.

5- wickets required by Umesh Yadav to complete 100 ODI wickets.

3 – years since the last ODI was played at the Sabina Park.