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The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team made easy work of the West Indies in the opening fixture to take 1-0 lead in the ODI series. The two teams will now face off in the second One-Day international at the same venue of Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 9.
Defeating the West Indies by six wickets, India claimed their first international victory of the year. They won the toss and decided to field first. Indian bowlers did an exceptional job not letting the opposing team build any sort of partnership. Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar, in particular, snared 4/49 and 3/30, respectively, as the Windies were bowled out for 176.
In response, Rahul Dravid’s men started well, with Sharma and Ishan Kishan giving a solid opening partnership of 84 runs in 13.1 overs. Rohit looked at complete ease on a very tricky deck and scored a sublime 60 off 51 balls. Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 34 and debutant Deepak Hooda’s 26* took the hosts over the line with six wickets and 22 overs to spare.
West Indies, who have 50 points from 13 games in the CWC Super League, are almost out of the direct qualification race but would be hoping for some miracle. However, they will need to win the remaining two games. India, on the other hand, will be looking to seal the series with another win on Wednesday.
Key players
Rohit Sharma is amongst the best players going around in world cricket and arguably the best opening batter in the ODI format. The right-hand stylish batter has amassed 7298 runs since he moved up the order at a superb average of 57.46 and strike rate of 92.35.
Rohit has scored 27 centuries and 32 half centuries in this format as an opener. He showed in the last game just how good he is, scoring a brisk 60 off 51 on a tricky surface. The Indian skipper will be a key player in the second game as well.
Washington Sundar has produced some outstanding performances for India in the last year or so. The off-spinning all-rounder has immense potential, and he has started to convert it into real impact. Washington has 43 wickets in List A cricket at 4.61 rpo, with best of 5/48. The all-rounder also has 575 runs to his name at an average of 21. Sundar bowled magnificently in the first ODI, picking 3 for 30 off nine overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal has been one of world’s best ODI spinners in recent times and has been a key part of the Indian side. Despite his recent form, Chahal remains a key figure in the set-up. The leg spinner was outstanding in the first ODI against the Windies, where he picked 4 for 49, including key wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard on back to back deliveries. Chahal has 103 wickets to his name from just 60 ODIs at an average of 27.27, including best figures of 6/42.
Alzarri Joseph is the leading wicket-taker in the ODI format since the start of 2020 with 36 scalps from 19 matches. The right arm fast bowler has the pace and ability to seam the ball. He rushed both Rohit and Virat Kohli in the first game, ending up with two for 45.
He has 60 wickets in 41 ODIs at an average of 28.50, including five instances of four or more wickets. Joseph will be an important player for the Windies in the second game.
Prediction
When you look at the head to head record between these two teams in the last two decades, India have enjoyed heavy domination with 44 victories and 23 losses. The Windies have managed only one win in the last five clashes as well.
The Men in Blue have a very good side despite Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer testing Covid-19 positive, and Jasprit Bumrah resting from the series. KL Rahul returns back for this match, and it will be interesting to see whether he bats at the top or in middle order.
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Either way, they have a strong batting line-up with the likes of Rohit, Kohli, Pant and Surya. In the bowling department, they have a spin duo of Sundar and Chahal along with the pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur.
West Indies’ batting issues in the fifty-over format are well known. The batting unit with Brandon King, Darren Bravo and Shamarh Brooks in it doesn’t inspire confidence.
Jason Holder offers a good all-round value but should be batting higher up the order. They have a couple of good bowling options in Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein, but it’s not enough for sustained performances. Overall, India are a much much better side and should win the second ODI as well.
