IND vs WI: 2nd ODI Preview – Clinical India aim for a series victory
West Indies made a dull start to their India tour, tumbling out for a sub-200 total in the first ODI before India clinically sealed the chase in merely 28 overs. After a couple of days, Kieron Pollard and Co. must be keen to make amends at the same venue and ensure they turn things around quickly to push the series into a decider.
There was barely another positive for West Indies in the previous game barring Jason Holder’s valiant half-century after the visiting team was pushed into submission so badly by the Indian bowlers that they had a threat of being wrapped below 100. However, a gritty stand between Holder and Fabian Allen made sure they crawled to at least a total of some substance.
For India, meanwhile, there were plenty of positive takeaways, including the performances of spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar, who cunningly scalped seven wickets between them to ensure West Indies never got an edge with the bat. Equally big a positive was Rohit Sharma’s promising return after a hamstring injury forced him to miss the South Africa tour.
On Sunday, Rohit looked into his elements as he notched up a well-compiled half-century that fashioned India’s impressive chase. The team will also be welcoming back KL Rahul for the second game after he sat out of the series-opener due to family commitments. With him getting into the side, the hosts will go hard towards sealing the series at the earliest when they step out on Wednesday.
Head to head
Stat attack
100: Virat Kohli will be playing his 100th ODI in India. He will be the 36th cricketer to play 100 ODIs at home
and 5th Indian to reach this landmark.
5: sixes Rohit Sharma needs to complete 250 sixes in ODIs, he will be the 1st Indian to reach this landmark.
37: runs KL Rahul needs to complete 6000 International runs across formats for India
1: Rishabh Pant needs to complete 3000 International runs for India across formats
Team news
India
Although India do not ideally need to change, KL Rahul’s return might come at the expense of Ishan Kishan, who was scratchy in the first game in Ahmedabad.
Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna.
West Indies
Despite the loss, West Indies are unlikely to make changes. If they do, they might want to give Odean Smith a look-in.
Predicted XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope (WK), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (C), Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Kemar Roach.
