Buoyant India look to wrap-up series (Preview)

West Indies would surely get marks for trying in two matches of the ODI series so far but the scoreline gives a different impression altogether. Despite stretching India in both the encounters, Windies have been unable to convert strong positions into victories. With series on the line at Motera, the visitors have a chance of staying alive otherwise the last two matches would be rendered insignificant.

India in the absence of regular skipper MS Dhoni and highest run getter in international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar haven’t done too badly in the batting department. Especially, their young Turks have put their hand up when the team needed them most. Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja saved the day for India in the first match. AT Vizag, it was Rohit once again in the rescue act and Virat Kohli’s mature ton reiterated the notion that he is one of the best rookie batsmen in the world.

With an exciting tri-series lined up in Australia after the four Tests, this series is an excellent opportunity for the young brigade to showcase their talent. Among the bowlers, Umesh Yadav is fast emerging as a level-headed bowler who can generate some pace. Vinay Kumar has also impressed. Only R Ashwin has had a real bad outing in the series when Ravi Rampaul got stuck into him.

Talking about Rampaul’s belligerent knock of 86 runs at Vizag, he almost single-handedly took the game away from India. Although, his batting exploits were a definite positive for West Indies, the concern for team management would be failure of their top-order to string together meaningful partnerships. Rampaul, after that fiery innings, deserves a promotion in the batting order.

All in all, West Indies will have to bring out their A-game against an Indian side that is teeming with talented young men ready to make it big at the highest level. If not, India’s home march will continue.   

India Squad: Virender Sehwag (c), Abhimanyu Mithun, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Parthiv Patel (wk), Ajinkye Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, Rahul Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar.

West Indies Squad: Darren Sammy (c), Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Danza Hyatt, Anthony Martin, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons.