After securing the 3-match series by winning the first two games, team India now will be eyeing to record a complete white-wash over West Indies when they walk into field to play the final match of the series on Wednesday at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain in Trinidad.
However, the previous two games were bit nail-biting as the results of both the game came in the last overs.
In the first ODI, West Indies were required to score 15 off the final over with 4 wickets in hand, but they failed to reach the winning mark of 309 and lost the game by just 3 runs.
During the second match, after opting to bat first, West Indies 311 on board, and almost restricted the Indian side to level series, after removing all their main batters for 256 for 6, and asking the tail along with not so experienced all-rounder to score 56 off 35. But India’s all-rounder Axar Patel came out of syllabus for them as he smashed an unbeaten 64 off 35 to hand his side a victory.
Team India is now competing without star players Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, as well as their regular skipper Rohit Sharma. Even yet, the fact that they were able to win the game and score well is encouraging for the development of a second reliable team.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, is handling the captain’s responsibility of team India.
For the sake of their own dignity, the West Indies cricket team must win the third game; if they don’t, otherwise they will lose the series by 3-0, just like they lost against Bangladesh before this series at home.
IND Vs WI 3rd ODI Playing XI (Predicted):
India XI
Shikhar Dhawan ©, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan
West Indies XI
Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie
Team Combinations
With a 119-run partnership in the first game, and 48 in the second, team India are currently satisfied with the new pair combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill and it will be crucial for both to post good partnership in the third ODI as well as part of team India’s second reliable team.
Their pair will again be seen to start Indian innings, with Shreyas Iyer, who recorded 2 back-to-back half centuries will be a good option for no.3 in the third ODI too, followed by Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda. While Axar Patel, who rocked the stadium with his power-hitting in the second ODI will perfectly handle the all-rounder responsibility for the team while batting at no.7 position.
Mohammed Siraj will lead the pacer’s department for India, with Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur. While the leggie Yuzvendra Chahal will be the sound spinner to have in the team.
The West Indies’ opening duo of Kyle Mayers and Shai Hope will lead the charge, while Shamarh Brooks will play at No. 3 and be followed by a potent middle order of Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, and Rovman Powell.
Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Hayden Walsh will be handy bowlers for West Indies against India in the second ODI.
Key players to watch out for in India versus West Indies 3rd ODI
The biggest thread for the West Inside side in the second ODI would be the in-form young batter Shubman Gill and Indian skipper Shikhar Dhawan.
Shreyas Iyer, who was seen struggling with his form in England before this series, was given a chance to bat at no.3, and he seized the chance with both hands, smashing two consecutive fifties to demonstrate that he is back in form.
The talk of the town these days Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t been able to perform as per his calibre but considering his reputation, he is likely to play a big innings in the third and final ODI. While Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel could be dangerous for the Men in Maroon to handle during the death overs.
Well, it will be interesting to see how West Indies will tackle Yuzvendra Chahal in the middle overs.
Kyle Mayers (75), who scored the highest run in the first game for his side, and Shai Hope (115), the lone centurion in second game could give some headache to visitors. While Shamarh Brooks and Nicholas Pooran also are in good form.
