The countdown to next year’s World Cup has already begun with less than eight months remaining for the showpiece event. Having had a fairly successful limited-overs stint, India will look to solve their middle-order puzzle when they take on the West Indies in a five-match ODI series, the first of which gets underway at the ACA Stadium at Barsapara on Sunday.
More specifically, the stress will be on identifying the No.4 and No. 5 slots in their bid to strengthen the middle-order.
The series will also mark captain Virat Kohli’s return to white-ball cricket as he had taken a much-needed break during the Asia Cup in the UAE.
India are set to try out a new combination in the middle-order that will see Rishabh Pant make his ODI debut, following his exploits in the longest format. It has been a remarkable turnaround for Pant, who has made the most of Wriddhiman Saha’s injury.
Pant, still a work in progress as far his ’keeping is concerned, grabbed his chance with a hundred at The Oval in his debut Test series. He followed it up with consecutive scores of 92 in the Tests against West Indies, and is now being seen as a saviour to India’s middle-order problems.
The 21-year-old couldn’t hide his excitement. “Always ready to give my 100 per cent on a cricket field. Cannot wait to take on the West Indies in the first ODI on Sunday!” he tweeted.
But there is every chance that the Indians may not get to solve their middle-order issues in this series. It generally happens when the top-order doesn’t bat through and there is pressure in the late and middle-order resulting in close matches.
Given the performance of this West Indies side, it is highly unlikely that they pose a real threat to the Indians. So do brace yourself for some tall scores and batting records.
India have named Pant in a XII that includes six batsmen, Ravindra Jadeja as the all-rounder and five other bowlers. It could come down to choosing between Mohammed Shami and Khaleel Ahmed when the XI is named.
Pant’s inclusion in the middle-order means that KL Rahul continues to remain out of favour as a potential candidate to fill the No.5 position.
“If you see our one-day performances there’s not much to ponder on apart from that one slot (No. 4)… The bowlers are bowling well, the batsmen are batting well, the lower-order hasn’t got much batting because Shikhar, Rohit and myself have made a lot of runs. But having those experienced guys in the middle-order will definitely help us and we feel quite settled as a batting unit,” Kohli said.
The Test series was completed in six days, and West Indies, without Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Bravo brothers, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, now face another enormous task in the ODIs.
Jason Holder can only blame his luck as the established stars have all preferred the money-spinning leagues worldwide to national duty. They will depend hugely on the likes of Shmiron Hetmeyer and Shai Hope to make sure India doesn’t have a free run in the shorter version as well.
TEAMS
India (from): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed.
West Indies (from): Jason Holder, Marlon Samuels, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Obed McCoy, Kemar Roach, Sunil Ambris, Keemo Paul, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas, Chandrapaul Hemraj.
Match starts: 1.30 pm.
