Windies v India, 2nd ODI: Windies Predicted XI

As the Windies and India brace for more rain on Sunday, the Queen’s Park Oval might once again see a handful of fans scattered in deserted stands. A ‘no result’ in the first ODI has brought it down to a 4-match series, but that could well be reduced to a 3-match series with another washout very much on the cards.

The hosts will, however, have to step up their game considerably after allowing India’s openers to score comfortably, even though their run-rate wasn’t alarming. Other than Yuvraj Singh, no Indian batsman was stifled while at the crease, which reflects poorly on the Windies bowlers. Their batsmen were given an unforeseen holiday as rain intervened, but they will come under the scanner if we do get a game on Sunday.

Here’s CricTracker’s predicted XI for the Windies ahead of the 2nd ODI against India.

Openers (Evin Lewis, Kieran Powell)

The Windies batsmen couldn’t bat in the first ODI but will have to bring something new to the table on Sunday. Both Evin Lewis and Kieran Powell can take on the Indian bowlers with aggressive strokeplay. Nevertheless, the openers have struggled in their recent appearances in limited-overs cricket, and it will be a must for them to deliver the goods against one of the best teams in the world.

Middle order (Shai Hope, Jonathan Carter, Jason Mohammed)

Shai Hope proved his mettle in the Test series against Pakistan, The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman is a promising talent in the Windies line-up.

In contrast, Jonathan Carter hasn’t had much success in international cricket in recent times. The left-hander will have to pull up his socks and provide support to the Windies middle order

Jason Mohammed’s recent heroics – a 58-ball 91 that helped Windies scale a target of 309 – have labelled him as a dangerous batsman in the middle-order. His side will depend on his hard-hitting to add the last moment flourish to the innings.

All-rounders (Roston Chase, Jason Holder)

Crisis Management Man Roston Chase has been a vital cog in the wheel for the Windies. He was instrumental for the Windies during their riveting Test series against Pakistan.

The skipper Jason Holder is the most experienced man in the current Windies side, and he led by example against India in the first ODI as well. He gave away 34 runs off his 8 overs, bagging the important wicket of Yuvraj Singh as well. Holder’s captaincy will also be tested during this critical series against the Men in Blue.

Bowlers (Devendra Bishoo, Ashley Nurse, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel)

The Windies have a cunning leg-spinner in Devendra Bishoo. He was the pick of the bowlers for his team in the first one-dayer. Having completed his quota of 10 overs, he maintained an economy of 3.90 and also dismissed the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan 13 short of a century.

Right arm off-break bowler Ashley Nurse has regularly been among the wickets for the Windies in recent times. His best figures of 4/62 came as recently as April 2017 against Pakistan. He went wicketless in the first one-dayer having bowled 4 overs, which included a maiden.

Alzarri Joseph looked rather scratchy, even though he dismissed Ajinkya Rahane on Friday. He went for 53 off his 8 overs and was the most expensive of the Windies bowlers. The duo of Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph have however consistently provided the breakthroughs when the team has needed them. Both caused trouble for the Pakistanis in the Test series.

There’s no doubt that the Windies aren’t favourites in this series. They lack experience – MS Dhoni has played more ODIs than the entire Windies XI combined – and they haven’t been in great form either. Nevertheless, the Windies have surprised one and all on several occasions and the Indian team cannot take Jason Holder’s men lightly in the second ODI on Sunday.