The first game in Guyana was washed out after just 13 overs. West Indies batting first were 54/1 and was recovering from a slow start when the rain interrupted the game for one last time. The biggest positive for the hosts was for sure the return to form of Evin Lewis who was struggling with the bat in the T20I series. His unbeaten 40 would be a huge boost for a batting line up which has been struggling for a good start from the openers.
West Indies though might be worried about the veteran Chris Gayle, who once again struggled in his painful innings of 4 from 31 balls. It will be interesting to see of Chris Gayle will be part of the second ODI or if the hosts will go with John Campbell instead. The rest of the batting did not get to bat and will most likely be retained for the second ODI as well.
India though in the 13 overs of bowling picked up just one wicket which fell to the spin of Kuldeep Yadav. Both Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were economical in the overs the bowled and so were the spinners. Khaleel Ahmed who was preferred ahead of Navdeep Saini though was expensive and that will be something for the Indian think tank to consider. The fact that only 13 overs were possible, there is a very good chance that both teams wouldn’t tamper with their playing XI for the second ODI.
Key Players:
Rohit Sharma (India): Rohit Sharma has been in brilliant form for India recently and he will once again be crucial for India’s chances in this series. Rohit has had good success in the West Indies and he averages 54.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India): Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been India’s premier ODI bowler for India over the past couple of years. Herewith the wickets aiding a bit of swing at the start he becomes extremely lethal with the new ball.
Evin Lewis (West Indies): Evin Lewis is a dasher and his form was one of the major concerns for West Indies. His innings of 40 would have given the hosts huge confidence. He will be important at the start for West Indies considering Chris Gayle has been struggling with the bat.
Sheldon Cottrell (West Indies): Cottrell has been brilliant for West Indies with the new ball recently. India is a top-heavy team and with his ability to swing the new ball he will be hoping to nip out a few to gain his team an advantage.
What they said?
“It’s probably the worst thing in cricket – the stop-start game. The more stops you have, the more you have to be carefully about injuries on the field. A few of the pitches can really test you. [On challenges in the West Indies] A few pitches might have good pace and bounce, while others can be a bit slower and difficult. So you have assess them and play accordingly.” Said Virat Kohli in the post match presentation after the first game was rained off.
“I thought the openers assessed the pitch well. The ball was stopping a bit. It was good that they could spend some time in the middle. We have to be consistent, in all departments.” Said Jason Holder after the first ODI.
Probable XI:
India XI:
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Kedar Jadhav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Khaleel Ahmed/Navdeep Saini
West Indies XI:
Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (Wk), Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell
With the series still on the line, both teams would battle hard to get on top with a win in Trinidad. The pitch at Port of Spain is considered to be a slow one with lots in the offer for the spin bowlers. This will be a good game with the team batting better having the edge.
