Windies vs India, 3rd ODI, Preview – Virat Kohli and Co eye yet another series win
It has been a dominant performance by the Men in Blue as they have outclassed their opponents in all the departments.
The India team continued their march at Port of Spain as the win has given them an unassailable lead in the 3-match ODI series. Though the Caribbean side put up a fight the visitors were equal to the task and grabbed all the important moments of the game. Till now Virat Kohli’s men have found answers to all the questions but the same cannot be said about the Windies team. They have struggled to match the intensity of their counterparts and now the series is at stake when they take on India for the final ODI at the same venue.
It has been a dominant performance by the Men in Blue as they have outclassed their opponents in all the departments. In the second game, it was Kohli’s magnificent ton which set up the game for India. More than that the team management will be happy with the innings of Shreyas Iyer who played a responsible knock along with his skipper. In the bowling department all the bowlers chipped in with wickets and now they might test their bench strength in the final tie.
Jason Holder’s arrival has lifted the spirits of the dressing room as the side tested the Indian team in patches. The batting was again a letdown as none of the stars took the responsibility of guiding the team. The bowling is impressive at the start of the innings and as well as at the death overs but the middle-overs is still an area of concern. Most of the time they have got their combinations wrong but they have one more chance to get their things right before the Test series.
Playing Combinations
It will be an important inning for Shikhar Dhawan as he has looked woefully out of form after his return from injury. Rohit Shama will be eager to continue his purple patch. Captain Kohli has already shown his colors and will be eyeing for another ODI century. Rishabh Pant might be pushed down the order after his forgetful dismissal in the last game but is likely to keep his place in the team as the first choice wicket-keeper.
Shreyas Iyer might get a promotion after his valuable knock in the 2nd ODI. For Kedar, Jadhav time is quickly running out and his innings will determine his fate in the international circuit. Ravindra Jadeja will be the all-rounder and he will be accompanying Yuzvendra Chahal in the spin department who is likely to replace Kuldeep Yadav. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be the bowling kingpin along with Khaleel Ahmed. Mohammad Shami might be rested to help Navdeep Saini get his ODI Cap.
Probable XI
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammad Shami/Navdeep Saini.
West Indies
Chris Gayle needs to fire at the top as his contributions can change the outlook of this Windies side. He has an able partner in the form of Evin Lewis who has displayed his hitting skills in the last couple of games. Shai Hope has to rediscover himself as he is too good a player to fail repeatedly. Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer will be looking to provide stability in the middle-order and the latter quickly need some runs under his belt.
Roston Chase has done his part in his limited opportunities. Skipper Jason Holder has to take more responsibility in both the departments and it is also valid for Carlos Brathwaite who has not enjoyed this tour. Kemar Roach will be improving his show and being the senior member of the squad he should guide the youngsters of the side. Keemo Paul might be included in the playing XI at the expense of Oshane Thomas who has not been at his best.
Probable XI
Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul.
The focus will be on
Navdeep Saini (India)
It has been an amazing journey for the fast-bowler Navdeep Saini. Earlier in the year, he impressed everybody with his pace and control in the IPL 2019. Then he was included in the standby list of World Cup squad. Finally, he made his international debut against the Caribbean team in the T20I leg. Saini is a prospect and should be nurtured. If he gets his ODI Cap he will be a threat to the opposition with his new-ball spell.
Chris Gayle (West Indies)
Chris Gayle is in the last stage of his international career and he will want to sign off in style. At the start of the year, he made a statement with a couple of his knocks against England. Then in the 2019 World Cup, the southpaw failed to make his mark and his poor returns was one of the reasons why the team ended at the bottom half of the points table. Now he is the highest run-getter for the country in the ODIs and he will be keen to celebrate the record with a Gayle Storm.
Head to Head
Matches played – 129 | Windies won – 62 | India won – 61 | Tied – 2 | No Result – 4
Stat Attack
1,174 – Number of runs scored by Virat Kohli in ODIs in the year 2019
69 – Number of ODIs played in Queen’s Park Oval, most in any West Indies ground
Broadcast Details
TV – Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 3, Sony Ten 3 HD
Online– Sony LIV
Match Timings – 19:00 IST and 9:30 local
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