The template has been thrown out of the window, making Rohit Sharma’s captaincy appear attractive. India’s bold approach with experimenting has been among the takeaways from the ongoing ODI series against West Indies.
Rohit has clarified that the team does not mind losing if that it what it takes to address to fix the long-term goals. The refreshing approach may see India move away from the cushion of winning combination and try out something new.
Not many had anticipated Rishabh Pant to open the batting. With K.L. Rahul critical to the team’s plans as a middle-order batter, it was a gamble worth taking. Unfortunately, it came on a day when the West Indian pacers were at the top of their game.
The other major takeaway for India was Prasidh Krishna’s renewed approach. The Karnataka pacer has a reputation for leaking runs and picking wickets, but come Ahmedabad, his economy rate reads 2.17 from the two matches this series where he has picked six wickets.
His emergence has solved India’s woes of not having a pacer to penetrate the batting line-ups in the first Powerplay. Even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
West Indies are currently eighth on the World Cup Super League table. With 10 points at stake, they will look to avoid a whitewash on a pitch that is expected to assist both pace and spin. However, the dew issue remains suspenseful. In the first ODI, it bothered West Indies but refused to haunt India in the second.
Likely XIs
Shikhar Dhawan will return to the top, which means the experiment with Pant will remain a one-match affair. In all likelihood, Dhawan will replace Deepak Hooda in the line-up, again hampering India’s plans around the sixth bowler. Of course, India may also rest Pant and keep wickets with Rahul to accommodate Hooda.
While the much-anticipated reunion of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav is unlikely, there is a high chance that of the former being rested to accommodate the latter. If that happens, Kuldeep will have an audition ground ahead of the IPL auction this weekend.
ALSO READ: IPL 2022 Auction: 6 foreign batters who can be valuable picks
Deepak Chahar had a great final game in South Africa, where he got wickets and almost pulled off a win with the bat. After warming the bench for the first two games, he can come in for Shardul Thakur.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
For seven times in eight matches, West Indies failed to play their quota of 50 overs. With Shai Hope not among runs and Darren Bravo’s comeback yielding little returns, skipper captain Pollard will look to shoulder more responsibility.
Odean Smith’s good all-round performance in the second ODI causes a selection headache. A grafter like Bravo may have to make way for Pollard.
The West Indian bowlers were brilliant in the second game. Now it’s up to the batters to set up the games.
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Fabien Allen, Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach
Fantasy tips
- Safe to bank on proven players like Rohit and Hope. With Rohit in a good nick, he is the captain option.
- Sundar can pick wickets and contribute with runs. He set the tone for the series with his double strike in the first match. Back him.
- Will Kohli get his 44th ODI hundred? That is the raging question everywhere. If that eventually happens, it will rain points for you.
Fantasy XI
Shai Hope (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Odean Smith, Fabien Allen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna.
Also Read: IPL 2022 Auction: 20 disastrous IPL picks from auction history