Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
What a moment for the Barpasa Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, set to host its first ever One Day International.
But, will this series be a good moment for international cricket? The Test series lasted just longer than the length of a single Test, and India will be looking to ensure they prepare well, with 18 ODIs between now and the 2019 World Cup. For West Indies, can they be at all competitive?
This series will be key for India in trying to sort out their middle order issues. Fresh off their seventh Asia Cup Title, India continue to thrive in the ODI format, but as their series loss in England suggests, they aren’t quite the finished package. India’s top three is fearsome, and so too their spin attack, but will the middle order be given an opportunity to prove themselves in this clash?
West Indies, led by Jason Holder, are without a host of stars for this one. Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and the Bravo brothers are all unavailable, forcing the Windies to stretch their already thin resources further in one of the most difficult away tours in international cricket. In a change of scenery to the disastrous Test series, can West Indies somehow target India’s weaknesses?
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Key to an India win
India’s top order has hit 64.15% of the team’s runs since 2017. In Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, India possess a top three that is the envy of most cricketing nations, and is sure to send shivers down the Windies’ players spines. These guys are proven performers in the format, and hold the key to a big score, or easy chase.
However, can India’s middle order deliver, if asked upon? In 2018, India have tried 11 players in the 4-7 batting positions, with just 796 runs scored at 25.67 in 15 matches. If provided with a big start, can India’s middle order finish the job better than they did in the Asia Cup? What if they are needed to rebuild the innings? The addition of Rishabh Pant is one India fans will be hoping helps sure things up.
Also, while India will be without Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, they still possess a strong attack, especially in these conditions. The spinners spun the Windies into such a huge web in the Tests that they are still trying to get out of it, with another spin test awaiting here. With Khaleel Ahmed and Umesh Yadav the possible seam pairing for India, West Indies will still have to be on their game against wicket taking potential.
Key to a West Indies win
The Windies need to expose India’s weaknesses, but to do that, getting through their strengths is the first step. To be able to target India’s middle order, West Indies need to remove the top order without too much damage, which is much easier said than done. Can Jason Holder and Kemar Roach (if picked) cause damage? What about the spinners Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo?
Also, with key stars missing, West Indies need to show the world that they aren’t simply making up the numbers at next year’s World Cup. Shemron Hetmeyer, who was disappointing in the Tests, was good in the Windies’ most recent ODI assignment against Bangladesh a few months ago. Can the likes of Shai Hope and Marlon Samuels, who is playing in his 200th ODI today, provide some steel to the Windies batting effort?
Possible XIs
India’s side looks settled, with the only main decision to be between Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Shami for the second seamer role.
India possible XI: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. Rishabh Pant, 6. MS Dhoni (wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Kuldeep Yadav, 9. Yuzvendra Chahal, 10. Umesh Yadav, 11. Khaleel Ahmed
Jason Holder has called for his players to make the Windies proud. One player who could get a game is Oshane Thomas, touted as a talented pace bowling option.
West Indies possible XI: 1. Sunil Ambris, 2. Kieran Powell, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Shimron Hetmeyer, 5. Marlon Samuels, 6. Rovman Powell, 7. Jason Holder (c), 8. Ashley Nurse, 9. Keemo Paul/Oshane Thomas, 10. Devendra Bishoo, 11. Kemar Roach/Alzarri Joseph
Dream11
There are a few must-picks in
Dream11. Below is my team, with a few pointers.
- MS Dhoni gets the nod over Rishabh Pant for me because he will keep wickets.
- Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are must-inclusions.
- Jason Holder is the Windies’ best player, and Samuels will want a big game in his 200th ODI.
- India spin twins Chahal and Kuldeep are in, and so too the impressive Khaleel Ahmed, who I believe will play.
- Ashley Nurse will be key for the Windies with the ball.
Stats and Facts
- Virat Kohli is 221 runs away from 10,000 ODI runs. Sachin Tendulkar is the current fastest to the mark (259 innings), and Kohli has played 56 less innings to reach his 9,779 runs.
- Marlon Samuels will play his 200th ODI today.
- West Indies last won an ODI series in India in 2002.
- MS Dhoni in 2018: 15 ODIs, 225 runs, avg. 28.12, SR 67.36.
- Virat Kohli is 42 runs away from 2,000 runs in 2018 across formats.
Prediction
Dew is predicted to play a factor, but whether India bowl or bat first, they should be too good for this Windies side.
India to win.
Thanks for reading!
P.S.,
looking to improve your game or replicate your heroes? Claim discounts on any of 700+ cricket items at onlinecricstore.com with a
single code! Find out more
here!
