West Indies and India are set for a three-match ODI series, starting Friday. Team India will be led by Shikhar Dhawan who has a crucial job ahead of him. Several players have been rested for the series as India are out to test their bench strength. This is a crucial series for several players as they hope to impress and be in the reckoning. India beat England 2-1 recently in the ODI series and will be out to stop the Windies who suffered a thrashing in the hands of Bangladesh. The Nicholas Pooran-led side has several top players on offer and it’s time WI step up and deliver against a fancied Indian side. Here we analyse the key player battles.
Alzarri Joseph vs Shikhar Dhawan
West Indian pacer Alzarri Joseph can prove to be handful with his exploits upfront. He has claimed 78 wickets for WI in ODIs at 27.65. After impressing in the Test series versus Bangladesh, Joseph managed one scalp from two ODIs and will need to fire against a patchy Indian opening department. His battle versus Shikhar Dhawan can set the tone. Dhawan struggled to find his feet versus England and was worn down. He will be under pressure. As per Cricmetric, Dhawan has faced 44 balls of Joseph, scoring 56 runs. He has been dismissed twice. There have been 20 dot balls, besides seven fours and a six.
Jason Holder vs Suryakumar Yadav
Holder brings plenty of experience for the Windies and his return is a positive one for Pooran and Co. Holder has 146 wickets in ODIs and is nearing the 150 mark. His ability to change pace and be consistent are key attributes which can test someone like Suryakumar Yadav. SKY needs to find his feet in ODIs and this series is extremely crucial. His versatility can be influential for India. He has faced 19 deliveries of Holder, scoring 20 runs. He hasn’t been dismissed yet by the all-rounder.
Akeal Hosein vs Shreyas Iyer
This can be an interesting duel on the cards. Iyer will be eager to get gametime and be a strong figure in that middle-order for India. He is known for his confidence against spin as he likes to use his feet well. Facing Akeal Hosein will be a tempting watch. Hosein was decent against Bangladesh but managed just one wicket in the 3-match series. He has 36 scalps in ODIs at a healthy average and has that experience to come good. Akeal is yet to bowl at Shreyas and this can test his abilities against a strong player of spin.
Prasidh Krishna vs Shai Hope
Prasidh Krishna will be aiming to build on the gametime he got in the ODIs versus England. The lanky pacer has made a strong start to his ODI career, claiming 20 scalps at 21.40. His bounce, variations and pace can test the mettle of a sound custodian in Shai Hope. WI will depend heavily on Hope to score crucial runs at the top. He had an ordinary series versus Bangladesh. Hope has faced six deliveries of Krishna, scoring two runs and not being dismissed so far. With over 4,000 ODI runs, he remains a valuable asset.
Yuzvendra Chahal vs Nicholas Pooran
Chahal was superb against England, taking seven scalps across the second and third ODI matches. With 111 scalps under his belt, the leggie will be instrumental for India in the middle overs. His ability to claim wickets at key moments of a match makes him a special player. Chahal will be eager to stop someone like Pooran, who is a real deal for WI. Pooran has scored 15 runs having faced 9 balls of Chahal. He has been dismissed once. With over 1,300 runs, Pooran will need to find his rhythm. Recently he slammed 73 in the third ODI versus Bangladesh. He needs to be rotating the strike well and take out the loose balls.