IND vs WI: 3rd ODI Preview – India aim for a whitewash against beleaguered Windies
A bit of pride and another crucial ten ICC ODI World Cup Super League points will be at stake for West Indies as they come against India in the third and final ODI of the series on February 11 in Ahmedabad.
The visitors have not been able to gather their act in the series so far, having lost two in two – once while defending and while chasing the other time. The second ODI was again a demonstration of the West Indies’ batting issue, as their lacklustre show threw all the good job the bowlers did to restrict India to a below-par total of 237/9 in vain.
West Indies also added another instance into a long list of occasions when they have failed to bat all their 50 overs. The trend has continued in both games this series, as they tumbled out for 176 in 43.5 overs before India chased it down in merely 28 overs in the first game, while in the second, the visitors were wrapped for 193 runs in 46 overs.
If it was the spin show of Yuzvendra Chahal and Washinton Sundar who made life difficult with their bagful of variations in the series opener, it was Prasidh Krishna’s fearsome four-for in the second ODI that broke West Indies’ back. After two impressive shows, India will eye registering a clean sweep.
Head to head
Team combination
India
Skipper Rohit Sharma hinted at the return of Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order after Rishabh Pant opened alongside him in the previous game. Deepak Hooda is likely to pave way for Dhawan.
Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna
West Indies
West Indies’ move to bring in Odean Smith reaped rewards and he will retain his place. Kieron Pollard, who missed the previous fixture due to a niggle, is expected to be fit and in at the expense of Darren Bravo.
Predicted XI: Shai Hope (wk), Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Fabian Allen, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach
Stat Attack
Rohit Sharma needs to hit 5 more sixes to complete 250 sixes in ODIs, he will be the 1st Indian to reach this landmark.
2014 was the last time when India imposed a whitewash against a team in a bilateral ODI series at home.
Akeal Hosein has not had any wicketless innings in his last 10 ODIs.
