Fueled by new energy under Rohit’s leadership, India looked like a completely changed unit after their whitewash in South Africa and the team would certainly like to pick up where they left off on Sunday night.
Returning from a short break, the focus will be on vice-captain KL Rahul’s batting position as India prepare for another demolition task against West Indies in the second ODI to seal the three-match series in Ahmedabad on February 9. aims at.
The India spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar sparked a riot as they bowled out West Indies for 176 and then captain Rohit Sharma chased down the target with 60 runs as the hosts went easy by six wickets in the lung opener. Won. in Motera.
Fueled by new energy under Rohit’s leadership, India looked to be a completely changed unit after being whitewashed in South Africa and the team would certainly like to pick up where it left off on Sunday night.
The biggest positive for India is that Rohit, who was ruled out of the South Africa series due to a hamstring injury, was in excellent form upon his return.
He will once again be eager to take the West Indies attack to the cleaners. Same for Ishan Kishan, who opened with Rohit in the first ODI, and smashed 28 off 36 balls.
But with Rahul available since this game, it remains to be seen whether the Karnataka wrist batsman opens up with the captain or plays relatively slow in the middle order. Rahul was ruled out of the first ODI due to personal involvement.
If he opens the batting, Jharkhand’s Dashrath Kishan will have to make room for the senior batsman.
If Rahul bats in the middle order, debutant Deepak Hooda, who played his part with an unbeaten 26 off 32 balls in the first game, may have to sit out as the team cannot tinker with the rest of the middle order. . In which Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav are included.
The game is also important for Kohli, who is bearing a lean patch and is looking to achieve the 71st century he has been waiting for more than two years.
If the hosts bat first, they would definitely like to set a target as they gear up for next year’s World Cup.
On the bowling front, India put up a clinical performance as the spin duo of Chahal and Washington ran through an ineffective West Indies line-up.
The team management is unlikely to make any changes in the bowling attack.
But it remains to be seen whether one of the two is dropped and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has been waiting in the wings, makes his way into the playing XI.
West Indies, on the other hand, will try to forget the hammering and outperformance in all departments, especially the batting.
Sunday was the 10th time in the last 16 matches that West Indies failed to bat in the full 50 overs.
The Kieron Pollard-led side needs to tackle that aspect and as pointed out by veteran all-rounder Jason Holder, the batsmen need to reap a huge reward for their wickets.
“We have to dig deep. I don’t think we’re too far to be fair. Our top order just needs to go a little deeper, put a huge reward on their wicket and just give ourselves a good chance ,” Holder had said.
The Caribbean team also has hard-hitters including Nicolas Pooran and Pollard and can attack the cleaners at any good level. They must be hoping that February 9 will be that day.
Their bowlers, except Alzarri Joseph, were bowled by Indian batsmen, especially Rohit, and they would like to come fresh and bowl in the right areas.
Teams (from):
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Mayank Agarwal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Famous Krishna, Avesh Khan, Shahrukh Khan.
West Indies: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamrah Brooks, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akil Hossein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Romario Shepard, Odeon Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.
Match will start at 1.30 pm
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