Kieron Pollard wanted his team to last 50 overs, and West Indies did not survive 44. Pollard himself contributed to the mess with a golden duck. Batting has been West Indies’ woes in ODIs, and being unable to last 50 overs on a consistent basis bears testimony to that. Since 2021, they have been bowled out in nine out of 13 ODIs, including six out of the last seven.
In ODIs, the West Indies batting relies heavily on Shai Hope, who averages over 50. Since 2018, his ODI averages in the calendar years have read – 67, 61, 47 and 62. This year, his four visits to the crease have wielded just 107 runs at under 27, albeit over a small sample.
While that explains their habit of getting bowled out every single time this year, the worrisome fact remains that even Hope got dismissed in the first ODI – getting carried away with glory hits – something uncharacteristic to his usual approach.
Another defeat in the second ODI at Ahmedabad will complete a hat-trick of ODI series defeats for Pollard’s men. They will need to fix their batting woes to avert the same. They tried to bring in grafters, including Darren Bravo. The ploy has not worked yet. Maybe promoting the ever-consistent Jason Holder could offer a solution.
For India, the plan would be to copy and paste the excellent work from the first game. A series win would be a much-needed confidence booster after the disappointments in South Africa.
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An uncharacteristic innings in the first ODI places the spotlight on Virat Kohli, who still awaits the elusive 44th ODI hundred. Though he averages over 40 in ODIs during the century-less phase, the monkey on the back seems to get heavier with every passing outing.
Despite the surface being expected to be two-paced and spin-friendly, batters are likely to thrive. And therefore, with Kohli around, the hope for the 44 still lingers. Otherwise, in terms of conditions, dew will be expected to have its say, and both teams would look to bowl first.
Likely XIs
K.L. Rahul’s return will boost India, who are already missing some of their regular players to Covid-19. With Ruturaj Gaikwad still in isolation and the management unlikely to rush the just-recovered Shikhar Dhawan to the rigours of a 100-over affair, there is a high possibility of Rahul being forced to open.
Being a sixth bowling option, Deepak Hooda will probably retain his place. In that case, the axe may fall on Ishan Kishan in case Rahul plays. While Rahul opening may not be the ideal scenario for India, keeping the World Cup preparation in mind, there seems to be little alternative alternative.
The other change that India could ponder is playing Deepak Chahar for Shardul Thakur.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), K.L. Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Chahal’s four wickets in the first ODI may prompt West Indies to draft in Hayden Walsh Jr, but whom does he replace? Akeal Hosein did threaten. And both Hosein and Fabien Allen are handy batters who add more balance.
Had dew not been a factor, they could have risked playing three spinners, with Walsh replacing Kemar Roach. The strategy seems tempting if West Indies bowl first, but can severely backfire if they lose the toss and the spinners have to bowl with a wet ball.
At some point in the series, they will also like to try out all-rounder Odean Smith and batter Nkrumah Bonner, but they are likely to proceed with an unchanged XI for the second match.
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Fabien Allen, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach.
Fantasy tips
- Chahal averages 23 against West Indies, who were clearly clueless in the last game. He is a definite pick.
- An asset in Test cricket, Holder has shown his worth as a white-ball cricketer over the years. He can earn valuable points with his all-round abilities.
- It’s always handy to have two wicketkeepers in your line-up for those dismissal points. Both Hope and Pant are excellent batters as well.
- Rohit looked in ominous touch on Sunday, and has a habit of capitalising on form. Make him captain.
Fantasy XI
Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav/Rishabh Pant, Shai Hope (wk), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Akeal Hosein, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Alzarri Joseph.