India look to extend home winning streak (Preview)

When Umesh Yadav hit the winning runs at Barabati much to the joy of a packed house, India notched up their tenth successive ODI win on home soil, last time they were beaten in India was in the group stages of 2011 World Cup. Despite their winning form taking a dip on overseas tours, India remain a formidable proposition for visitors. West Indies will have to come up with something special to end their run of success.

Actually, the Darren Sammy-led side nearly stopped India in the first ODI of the five match series but Rohit Sharma had other ideas. A genuinely match-winning 72 from him coupled with ‘batting antics’ of last two batsmen was enough to see India through. The humdinger at Cuttack was second time in four days that the two sides battled it out till the last moment after the third Test had a similar heart-stopping climax.

India without two of their most prominent performers in the 50-over format, MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar may seem a bit light on batting but promising youngsters like Rohit, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja make up for their absence. While West Indies had knocked the stuffing out of India’s chase by removing half the side for just 59 runs, Rohit and Jadeja, who batted at number seven saved India with a gutsy 83-run partnership.

Likewise, an inexperienced bowling attack has done a good job thus far. Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav provide a rare sight of India having two out and out quicks. And, their feisty batting also has contributed to the team cause. R Ashwin is fast maturing as a spinner for all formats but his running between the wickets which nearly cost India a hard-earned victory is an area of concern.

For West Indies, the sole target will be to stop India from running away with an unbeatable lead early in the series. Although, their bowling hasn’t done too badly, batting is proving to be the weak link. Their top-order which more often than not is in self combustion mode needs to approach the game with level-headedness. Only Darren Bravo has carried on his good touch from Tests into the one-dayers, but he alone can’t do it for the team.

Among the bowlers, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell and spinner Anthony Martin impressed. Moreover, leaving out unconventional spinner Sunil Narine on turning tracks doesn’t make lot of sense. Visakhapatnam being a typical subcontinent surface furthers his case for inclusion in the playing eleven as lack of pace can usually stems the flow of runs.

To sum it up, the hosts hold all the aces but West Indies would look draw level at 1-1 and thus break India’s winning run at home.

India squad: Virender Sehwag (Capt), 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 (Capt), 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