It turned out to be a serious enough reality check for India after West Indies salvaged a morale-boosting tie in the second game in Vishakapatnam. So much so that the selectors recalled front-line pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah back in action for the third ODI in Pune on Saturday in hopes of improving India’s bowling performance.
A well-oiled India hammered the Windies in the series opener in Guwahati by eight wickets, but the gritty visitors made a statement of sorts in Visakhapatnam, by denying the hosts a victory and a chance to go 2-0 ahead in the five-match rubber.
The absence of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah saw Indian bowling unit being clobbered for 320 plus runs in both games. As Windies coach Stuart Law, who is back from a suspension, pointed out, the visitors have forced the Indian management to call back their big weapons.
With more variations in their repertoire in white ball cricket compared to the profilgate Umesh Yadav and an inconsistent Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah are expected to make a significant difference, especially in the first Powerplay and the death overs.
With only 16 games (give or take a couple) left before the World Cup in England next year, the misfiring second string bowling attack, the fragility of the middle-order and lack of consistency from the lower-middle order batsmen are issues that will continue to keep skipper Virat Kohli’s mind preoccupied when they take field at the MCA International stadium.
But for the batsman Virat Kohli, there is very little to worry about at the moment. Kohli, who surpassed iconic Sachin Tendulkar as the fastest to score 10,000 ODI runs, has always been the backbone of the team. His back to back hundreds (140 and 157 not out) is just a testimony to it. The skipper, who has scored 297 runs so far in the series, will be aiming for a big knock again.
Ambati Rayadu, whose 73 consolidated his claim for No 4 spot will know that a good show on Saturday, will only help him make the position his own.
But questions remain on a stable numbers 5, 6 and 7.
Veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni (20) again looked out of sorts in the second ODI and with his ability to finish innings on the wane, the stumper will be under immense pressure to perform.
A big score is expected from young Rishabh Pant, who has got the ability to go all guns blazing. The team management is expected to persist with him for his game-changing ability.
The dew is a big factor during day-night matches in India, something that will worry Kohli since both his wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were finding it difficult to grip the wet ball.
Jadeja’s wicket-taking abilities, or lack thereof, came up for discussion once again in the second ODI as he went wicket-less against a marauding Windies middle order.
For the visitors, their biggest asset is young Shimron Hetmyer, who scored a scintillating 94 in the last game after an attractive 106 in the opening encounter.
The 21-year-old southpaw would be raring to go at the Indian bowlers once again.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope with his hundred in Visakhapatnam has proved that there is more to his game than the attractive 30’s. But apart from these two, West Indies would be hoping that the others like Kieron Powell, Chanderpaul Hemraj and Rovman Powell step up and deliver.
Their senior pros like experienced Marlon Samuels (13 runs) and skipper Jason Holder (50 runs) haven’t really played to their potential. The duo will look to make amends. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Kemar Roach but he has been leaking runs along with their spinners Devendra Bishoo and Ashley Nurse.
The trio, along with captain Holder, will need to come up with something special to restrict a ruthless Indian skipper and the others, who can hammer any bowling attack. After impressing on his debut with his variations, Obed McCoy should retain his place in the XI.
Squads
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey.
West Indies: Jason Holder (Captain), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Oshane Thomas.
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