Windies v India, 2nd ODI Preview: Balanced India look to draw first blood

It is always an utter shame to see a cricket game get washed out. The first ODI between India and Windies saw the game washed out after only about 40 overs bowled in the first innings. It was a tame end to a big game which rather seemed inconsequential on the bigger picture. The 5-match ODI series might not look like a big tournament from the onset. However, it does mean quite a to the both sides.

For the hosts, the series is one of their few hopes left to revive their current standing in the ICC ODI rankings. They languish at the 9th position at the moment and are under the threat of failing to directly qualify for the ICC World Cup 2019. On the other hand, the Indian camp has been in the news for various reasons in the recent times. The coach-captain saga has taken several ugly turns.

The team would want to ensure that the same does not reflect on their game play when the action gets underway. In the first ODI, the new Indian opening pair – Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane – did an excellent job by adding a century stand. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni also had a decent time in the middle before the rain intervened. So the Indian camp would be happy going into the game. For the Windies, they need more penetration with their new ball bowlers.

Toss: Windies won the toss and opted to field

Captains speak

Kohli: ‘No changes for us as well, we were professional in the first match, like Jason said, there will be some early moisture – but we can’t control the toss. Kuldeep has dine well in the Test arena, he’s a wrist spinner and will come handy over here. We need to take responsibility as a team, we have to do the basics right and put in a good performance.’

Holder: ‘We will field first. There should be some early morning moisture. We are going with the same team – did a reasonable job in the first match. Our fielding in the first match was pretty good, looking forward to a good outing here.’

Playing XI:

India: Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav

Windies: Evin Lewis, Kieran Powell, Shai Hope(w), Jason Mohammed, Roston Chase, Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder(c), Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Miguel Cummins

Overs: 43 per side

Focus will be on

Virat Kohli

Team India skipper Virat Kohli is likely to be the center of attraction in the game. The on-field tensions combined with the off-field news are bound to make him fetch quite some attention. While many would be waiting for the press conferences that he holds, the player himself would want his bat do the talking. He got his opportunity to bat in the previous game and looked good. He was not at his fluent best but did spend some time at the crease.

Roston Chase

Roston Chase has emerged out to be the crisis man for team West Indies in the recent past. His superlative efforts in the longest format of the game had earned him his maiden ODI call up during the recently concluded series against Afghanistan. He could not do much there and hence would be hoping to come up with an improved showing in the series against India. He has a special liking for Indian bowlers and has a Test ton against them.

Team Combinations

Windies

Windies  camp is likely to play with the same side that played in the first ODI. Albeit their bowlers failed big time with the new ball, it will only be unfair to swap and change things after just half a go at the opposition. The batting was untested in the previous game and hence the playing order should remain the same.

Evin Lewis and Kieran Powell would be the openers. Shai Hope, Jason Mohammad, and Roston Chase make up the middle order which is very inexperienced on paper. The likes of Jonathan Carter and Jason Holder will be expected to provide the final flourish to the innings.

India

Team India looks very set and balanced at the moment. The new opening pair was the only concern. But the way Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane scored fifties in the previous game will give the men in blue a lot of confidence. Yuvraj Singh got out cheaply in the previous game and would want to make amends for that in this particular game.

Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Kedar Jadhav combine to form a very formidable batting lineup and have the powerhouse hitting of Hardik Pandya to follow. Ravindra Jadeja is likely to be rested for yet another game and Kuldeep Yadav would make the cut in the playing eleven.

Stat Attack

10 – The last time Windies beat India in a bilateral series was 10 years ago in 2006-07.

32 – Number of matches played between the two sides in the Caribbean. The Indian team has won on 11 occasions and West Indies have won 19 matches with two results going as No Result.