Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: CricTracker |
For the first time in this series, India totally dominated from start to finish.
The world number two side, across the first three ODIs, displayed the kind of inconsistency within matches that is not often associated with India in white ball cricket, especially at home. But, thanks to Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and the bowlers, India are now in pole position to deliver another series win.
Can West Indies show that the fourth ODI abomination was just a blip in what has been a very encouraging series?
The build up to the fourth ODI was dominated by Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni, but by the end, India were encouraged by the efforts of Ambati Rayudu and Khaleel Ahmed. Rohit Sharma’s brilliance, especially after passing 50, is something we’ve come to expect, but India can take heart in the effort of their number four, a position they have been looking to sure up for quite some time. With Virat Kohli picking up a rare low score, the contributions of his teammates is something India will be keen for again – will the batting and bowling fire as one for the second time in a row?
The performance by West Indies at Mumbai was a real dampener on what has been an encouraging series to date. In all three preceding ODIs, the Windies had some great periods of play, sometimes prolonged, which was totally absent in the fourth. Nonetheless, walking away from India with a drawn series will be a huge result for the Caribbean boys, who need to continue building confidence and momentum ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Key to an India win
India flexed their muscle at Mumbai, starting off by not giving West Indies the early wickets that were key to their success in the second and third ODIs. The strong start by Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma is something India will want repeated, with Dhawan in particular needing to build on his starts. With Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu in good touch, India possess a top four that can once again bat West Indies out of the contest. Can these four create a great platform for the middle order, if needed?
Also, the performance of Khaleel Ahmed was cause for encouragement, causing the Windies batsmen significant problems thanks to his ability to get the ball moving. With Jasprit Bumrah at his economical best, Bhuvneshwar Kumar slowly getting back to form, and the spinners as tight as ever, India possess an attack that can blow the Windies away. Will it prove to be the case again?
Key to a West Indies win
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Windies in the fourth ODI, headlined by all bowlers (who bowled a minimum of five overs) leaking runs at more than six an over, and Jason Holder being the only batsman to pass 20.
As mentioned, the ability of the Windies to pick up early wickets was crucial to their effort in leveling the series, exposing India’s still shaky middle order. Against a dangerous Indian top four, who will take the game by the scruff of the neck for the Windies? Can Kemar Roach and Jason Holder build more pressure at the top, with the change bowlers to maintain it? It is a big ask, but to keep the series alive, more control is required with the ball.
Also, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Kieran Powell are yet to go past the first powerplay at any point as an opening pair this series. What this has done is apply more pressure to a young middle order, who have stepped up admirably this series, but couldn’t do so in the fourth ODI, leading to a huge collapse. In addition, the form of Marlon Samuels and Rovman Powell – two potentially dangerous players – has hurt the Windies, and if they are selected, must step up in the quest to level of the series. Of course, Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer remain crucial to the Windies’ hopes.
Possible XIs
Yuzvendra Chahal and Rishabh Pant were left out of India’s side for the fourth ODI to accommodate MS Dhoni. Expect India to stick with the same combination that won so handsomely on Monday.
India possible XI: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. Kedar Jadhav, 6. MS Dhoni (wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Khaleel Ahmed, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
For West Indies, there could be some changes. Sunil Ambris could come in for one of the openers, and Keemo Paul is under pressure after going for 88 runs in his 10 overs on Monday. Devendra Bishoo might also be recalled.
West Indies possible XI: 1. Chandrapaul Hemraj/Sunil Ambris, 2. Kieran Powell, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Marlon Samuels, 6. Rovman Powell, 7. Jason Holder (c), 8. Ashley Nurse, 9. Keemo Paul/Obed McCoy, 10. Devendra Bishoo/Fabian Allen, 11. Kemar Roach
Dream11
Racking my brain to figure out the best combination! Below is my Dream11 team, with a few pointers.
- I will keep the faith in Shikhar Dhawan. He is due a big score. Will Rohit Sharma get two big scores in a row?
- Bumrah, Kuldeep and Khaleel all have excellent wicket taking potential.
- Back Shai Hope to have a better today after a run out in the 4th ODI.
Stats and Facts
- India’s 224-win at Mumbai is their third biggest win in ODIs.
- MS Dhoni needs one run to become the fifth player score 10,000 ODI runs for India.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs two wickets to reach 100 in ODIs.
- India have scored six centuries this series – the joint most for them in any ODI series/tournament.
Prediction
Have the Windies run out of steam? On the evidence of the fourth ODI, it could be the case, but they have played well enough this series to not write them off.
However, India have too much quality and experience, and will win to take the series 3-1.
Thanks for reading!
