West Indies VS India, 2nd ODI

KL Rahul is set to return for the second ODI. © AFP

The Picture

We have got to bat our full 50 overs, were the words echoed by the West Indian captain Keiron Pollard as for the 7th time in as many games on the trot, the visitors have failed to bat their full quota. On a two paced wicket which was slow and taking turn, the Carribean batsmen struggled against the flight and guile of the Indian spinners and the pace and bounce of the Indian seamers alike. Mohammad Siraj started their downfall with the wicket of the enterprising Shai Hope after been struck for 2 successive boundaries in the over. Sundar who was making a comeback bowled good lengths and showed he wasn't a one trick pony, drying up the runs and picking up wickets from his quota of overs. Chahal once again showed why he is still revered as the best Indian leg spinner going around picking 4 wickets and nearly a hat-trick, with the wicket of the burly Pollard being the standout, who failed to pick the wrongun going  for an expansive shot. Prasidh Krishna troubled the opposition with his skiddy bounce as the Windies folded for 176. The only bright spot for them was Jason Holder who struck four maximums enroute his way to a half century and his 78 run partnership along with Fabian Allen ensured that they batted 43.5 overs in the end. India managed to chase down the score without a lot of fuss with Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan giving them a blistering start. The former hit a fluent half century before he was trapped in front by a quick Alzarri Joseph who even picked the wicket of Kohli in the same over by surprising him for pace and bounce. Akeal Hosein found turn and tested the Indian batsmen but the score wasn't enough to trouble India who in the end got home with 6 wickets and 22 overs to spare with Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Hooda staying till the end.

With the series on the line going into the second one dayer, the Windies will need to solve their batting as soon as possible to put up a decent score on the board. Their batsmen have got out to a combination of timid and rash shots, without displaying any footwork and trying too hard to dismiss the ball from their presence. They will be better served by taking some inspiration from Jason Holder who provided a master class on how to bat on these kind of surfaces and will need to do it fast. India will be quite pleased at the result and how it came as well after a disastrous tour of the rainbow nation where they failed to win a single game sans the first test match. They would be delighted with Siraj after he picked a wicket in the powerplay, something which is a rarity for the Indian pacers since the start of 2020 and would hope that these are signs of more good things to come. The only question on Wednesday though will be whether the West Indies give India a tough fight or will the hosts just brush them aside like Ireland did a month ago.  

When:  9 February 2022, Wednesday

Time:   1:30 P.M (IST)

Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Team News

West Indies

The visitors would look to give the same eleven another go. Chahal's success might make them consider giving Hayden Walsh a go. They do have Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith if they are looking for bowlers with batting firepower as well.

Probable XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder, Fabien Allen, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach

India

KL Rahul has joined the team and will slot in the eleven as an opener replacing the dynamic Ishan Kishan. The rest of the side is expected to stay the same.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Pitch and Playing Conditions

The conditions are expected to be clear with few clouds. The track for the first onedayer was on the slower side and the way the pitch behaves will be decided on what kind of soil composition it is made up of. Dew might play a part as the game progresses.

Interesting Facts

• After the loss in the series opener, West Indies have slipped to the eighth position in the super league standings.

• Since the start of 2021, West Indies have been bowled out in 9 of the 13 ODI's they have played.