27 July,2023 10:34 PM IST | Bridgetown (Barbados) | Srijanee Majumdar
Rohit Sharma (Pic: AFP)
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The West Indies are often cited as everyone's second favourite team in world cricket, except perhaps in the Caribbean where they may currently be regarded as the âleast favourite' team of the lot.
Even in this era when West Indies have so often been emasculated, they have still had the capacity to enchant fleetingly - as they did in Colombo when winning the World T20 in 2012. The current team lacks the majesty and power of the magnificent sides of the Eighties. In Sri Lanka 11 years ago, they had a rollercoaster ride to the T20 final, which was ultimately mesmerising. Their campaign was unpredictable, joyous and stylish and everyone enjoyed their triumph. Yet now, with the 50-over series round the corner, there is serious doubt whether West Indies will be able to save themselves from more humiliation.
India could not force victory over feeble Windies despite an early, attacking declaration on the final day of the second Test at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago as the weather closed in later on. The Men in Blue went on to seal a 1-0 win after rain brought the second Test to a premature end.
India declared on 181 in the second innings after opening up a commanding lead, setting their opponents a target of 365 to chase. But rain meant play was suspended and then abandoned on the fifth and final day of action with the West Indies frozen on 76-2. The draw gave India a 1-0 victory, with the sides now set to resume battle over three one-day internationals.
India laid the foundations for a second successive Test victory over their rivals with a solid first innings, highlighted by some strong showings at the top of the order. The openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma - formed a strong partnership, combining to score more 139 runs before Jaiswal was caught on 57 by Kirk McKenzie following a Jason Holder delivery.
Team India celebrate the fall of a wicket during the second Test (Pic: AFP)
The next three wickets were quick to fall as the West Indies threatened to take control of the contest at 182-4, but Virat Kohli had other ideas. He scored a Test's best 121 runs, and together with Ravi Jadeja combined for 159 runs to put India in the ascendency.
The last wicket fell at 438 runs, and although the West Indies made a reasonable start in response, only Kraigg Brathwaite was able to put up more than a half century as they stumbled to 255 all out. That gave India a comfortable cushion and they built on that in their second innings as they raced to 181-2 before declaring in a bid to clinch a second successive victory.
But it wasn't to be, as the rain gods once again stole the cricketing headlines. It perhaps spared the West Indies from suffering a whitewash after dropping two early wickets on day four chasing the 365 required to win.
Play in the first session of day five was scrapped but it was hoped there would be some afternoon action as the rain eased. However, despite a couple breaks in the deluge, the second session went the way of the first and the Test was declared a draw.
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The two sides will now play each other in three one-day international matches beginning on July 27. India will use the series against the West Indies to test out a few players to finalise their combinations ahead of the Asia Cup, which will precede the ODI World Cup at home in October-November.
India boast of an eight-match winning streak against West Indies in ODIs. The last time Windies got the better of India was on December 15, 2019, with a eight-wicket win in Chennai.
Recent ODI matches:
6 Feb 2022: India won by 6 wickets
9 Feb 2022: India won by 44 runs
11 Feb 2022: India won by 96 runs
22 July 2022: India won by 3 runs
24 July 2022: India won by 2 wickets
27 July 2022: India won by 119 runs (DLS method)
India vs West Indies ODIs in the Caribbean
Matches: 42
India won: 19
West Indies won: 20
No Result: 3
Most recent India vs West Indies ODI matches in Caribbean
India are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in ODIs against West Indies in the Caribbean. The last time India lost a contest was on 2 July, 2017 with Windies winning by 11 runs. West Indies have not won an ODI series against India at home since 2006.
8 August 2019: No result
11 August 2019: India won by 59 runs
14 August 2019: India won by 6 wickets
22 July 2022: India won by 3 runs
24 July 2022: India won by 2 wickets
27 July 2022: India won by 119 runs (DLS method)
Like the two Tests, India will be expected to dominate the West Indies but the series presents a crucial opportunity for the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal and Umran Malik.
Suryakumar will be aiming to improve his 50-over credentials while Kishan and Samson are likely to audition for the wicketkeeper's slot on Thursday.
Suryakumar, who has not been able to replicate his superhuman T20 form in the ODIs, can stake a claim for the number four spot in the absence of injured Shreyas Iyer. Though he recorded a hat-trick of first ball ducks in the previous series against Australia, the X-factor batter is expected to start the series.
K L Rahul, who is undergoing rehabilitation after a thigh surgery, will be a strong contender for the number one wicket-keeper's slot when he returns to action. In his absence, both Kishan and Samson have a chance to make a claim for the second wicketkeeper's slot with Risabh Pant unlikely to be fit in time for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Samson is used to being in and out of the team but he will be hoping to get game time in his comeback series and build on his average of 66 in 11 ODIs.
Kishan, who impressed with the bat and was behind the stumps in the Test series, is likely to be the wicketkeeper for the opening ODI. That leaves Samson and Suryakumar to battle for the remaining spot in the middle order.
As expected, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will open the innings which means more time on the bench for Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Vice-captain Hardik Pandya, who has not played since the IPL, has a hectic schedule ahead of him with the five T20Is following the ODIs, bringing workload management to the forefront. Considering that he will captain the T20I side, he might get a breather during the ODI series.
In the bowling department, it is another opportunity for tearaway pacer Umran Malik to make an impact. The 23-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir has the tendency to leak runs but is a genuine wicket-taking option. He has taken 13 wickets in seven ODIs.
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Chahal has gone down in the pecking order of spinners and Kuldeep Yadav was picked ahead of him in the last series against Australia. The leggie will be eagerly waiting for his chance. Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack with Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar and all-rounder Shardul Thakur being the other options.
The West Indies, who have failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup, will be eyeing a fresh start with the India series. The return of Shimron Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas will boost the home side. Both played their last ODI in 2021. Alick Athanaze, who was among the few West Indies batters who showed promised in the Test series, will be the one to watch out for.
West Indies (probable): Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas
India (probable): Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar
Highest innings total (overall): India 481/5 at Indore in December 2011
Highest innings total (in West Indies): India 339/6 at Kingston in June 2009
Lowest innings total (overall): India 100 at Ahmedabad in November 1993
Lowest innings total (in West Indies): West Indies 121 at Port of Spain in April 1997
Biggest victory (overall): India won by 224 runs at Brabourne in October 2018
Biggest victory (in West Indies): India won by 119 runs at Port of Spain in July 2022
Most runs: Virat Kohli - 2261 runs from 42 matches
Highest score (overall): Virender Sehwag - 219 runs from 208 balls at Indore in December 2011
Highest score (in West Indies): Desmond Haynes - 152' from 126 balls at Georgetown in March 1989
Most centuries: Virat Kohli (9)
Most fifties (or more): Virat Kohli (20)
Most sixes: Rohit Sharma (35)
Most ducks: Sachin Tendulkar (5)
Most runs in a series: Chris Gayle (455 runs from 7 matches)
Most wickets: Courtney Walsh (44)
Best bowling figures: Anil Kumble 6/12
Most five-wicket hauls in an innings: Mervyn Dillon (2)
Most runs conceded by a bowler: Kemar Roach (88 runs from 10 overs)
Most wickets in a series: Patrick Patterson (17 wickets in 1987/88)
Most wicketkeeping dismissals: MS Dhoni (47)
Most wicketkeeping dismissals in an innings: Denesh Ramdin (5)
Most catches: Vivian Richards (26)
Most catches in an innings: Rahul Dravid (4)
Most catches in a series: Vivian Richards (8)
Highest partnership: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (246 runs)
Most matches played: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (46)
Most matches as captain: Viv Richards (20)
