An important scene from ‘MS Dhoni- The Untold Story‘ depicted the discussion between on-screen Dhoni (essayed by Sushant Singh Rajput) and Indian selectors while picking the ODI side during Australia tour (2008-09). One of the selectors commented, “Lekin MS (Dhoni), World Cup (2011) mein abhi teen saal baaki hai” (MS, the World Cup is still 3 years away) to which the actor replied, “Sir, World Cup mein ab sirf teen saal hai” (Sir, the World Cup is just 3 years away). With ICC Champions Trophy 2017 done and dusted, Indian cricket team’s next assignment is a limited-overs series in West Indies. The first match of the five-ODI series will be held at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad on Friday (June 23).Virat Kohli will be echoing similar sentiments (from reel Dhoni) and look to form a core side with next ICC World Cup in only two years time. West Indies tour will grant the tourists a fitting chance to move on from the heartbreaking loss in the summit clash of Champions Trophy and build for the road ahead.
From India’s perspective:
Despite India’s horrendous performance in Champions Trophy final versus Pakistan, they had a pleasant ride in the tournament. They were the only side to live up to their favourites’ tag and storm into the tournament decider. The No. 3 ranked side could not defend their title (won in 2013), but still remain a formidable unit. India have a pool of pacers who can wreak havoc for any opponent on their day. A batting line-up comprising of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Dhoni and Hardik Pandya can chase down any total. With two quality spinners, in form of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, India have all bases covered. But there are few concerns for future.
India need to get their combination sorted. The two-time World Cup winners need more variety in their bowing arsenal. Many estimated that in the just-concluded marquee event, Kohli went in with ’45-47 overs’ in a 50-over competition. This meant that he was one bowler short on most occasions. The need of the hour is to sneak in an additional bowler and groom their 5th bowling option in Pandya. The all-rounder still has a long way to go with the ball. He has to go some distance before being labelled as a bankable 10-over commodity. Similarly, it will be the ideal time to look beyond the menacing pair of Jadeja-Ashwin.
Time for the Chinaman?
Jadeja and Ashwin have been in business for long. Surely, they hunt in pairs when they get going. However, they have not received roaring success in limited-overs contrary to their domination in whites. Jadeja thrives on Ashwin’s performances, whereas the latter looks clueless and refers to variations on flat surfaces. Playing for long, the oppositions have also understood how to tackle them, and it will be wise to introduce a newbie into the line-up. Moreover, the duo often look to contain runs rather than going for wickets in middle overs. Hence, Kuldeep Yadav can be a vital customer against West Indies.
“It is just the lack of wickets in the middle that will concern India, will concern the management. It is just something they are going to have to think about: Whether it is now time to try a wrist-spinner in the middle; who is a bit of mystery through the middle, who is more of a wicket-taker,” Rahul Dravid stated while talking to ESPNCricinfo.
The Dhoni-Yuvi debate-
Going by Dravid’s analysis, another tough call maybe on cards. “It is a call that is got to be taken by the selectors and the management (on Dhoni-Yuvraj). And what they see as the road map for Indian cricket, and where they see the role of both these cricketers going ahead for the next couple of years. Is there a place for both of them? Is there a place for only one of them,” Dravid added.
Clearly, both Dhoni and Yuvraj are filling up the No. 4 and 5 spot rather than ‘owning’ them. Dhoni’s strike-rate has gone down since 2014, whereas Yuvraj cannot instil confidence in swinging conditions. Former Mumbai skipper and Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar had a keen observation about the two veterans.
“Four and five (batting positions) are pretty evident. Kohli played an extra sixth batsman — you have a Pandya with that kind of hitting ability, Jadeja can bat, Ashwin can bat, Bhuvneshwar Kumar can bat — you still play that sixth batsman as an insurance because you are not quite sure of your four and five (i.e. Yuvraj and Dhoni). They have been Indian greats — MS and Yuvraj — but whether they fit in at four and five long term, or looking at 2019 World Cup, is something Kohli will have to answer” quipped Agarkar on ESPNCricinfo.
Small takeaways:
Pandya surely looked in his groove in Champions Trophy final. With the entire batting order falling apart, he stood to the occasion and was on the verge of producing something extra ordinary. Nonetheless, an ugly mix-up with Jadeja resulted in his dismissal. His outburst showed his desire to win it for his side, but the youngster needs to channelise his aggression going forward.
Rishabh Pant has been rewarded for his immaculate performance in domestic circuit. He will take Rohit’s place in West Indies with the senior pro being rested. The 19-year-old will be keen on grabbing the opportunity and deliver against a not-so-threatening side. More than the opposition, his nerves and temperament will be up for grabs.
Just another series for the hosts?
West Indies are languishing at the No. 9 spot in ODI rankings. Their last series victory came in 2014 against Bangladesh. As a result, the Caribbean side have to win many encounters in order to avoid playing the qualifiers for World Cup 2019. Hosts England and the seven highest-ranked sides, as on September 30, 2017, will qualify directly for the showpiece event, to be held from May 30 to July 15, 2019.
Having said that, West Indies have a task in hand to move up the ladder in ODI rankings. In their last series versus Afghanistan, they were exposed against leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Jason Holder’s side will be on their toes against the likes of Kuldeep and the much-improved pace bowling attack of visitors.
In Shannon Gabriel’s absence, Miguel Cummins and Alzarri Joseph will spearhead the pace battery along with Holder. Roston Chase and Jason Mohammad have shown the calibre to anchor the innings with the willow. They will be West Indies’ linchpin and look to steer the side amidst crisis.
West Indies have an edge?
In 116 encounters, India have won 53 matches. While West Indies have won 60 games, majority of these victories came when they were a force to reckon with.
What numbers say since World Cup 2007?
Since India’s first-round exit from World Cup 2007, both teams have locked horns 26 times in the shorter format. Out of 26 ODIs, India emerged victorious in 18 games and lost 7. The visitors boast of a solid win per cent of 69.23 against the hosts and will look to cash-in on these numbers.Likely XI (India): Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (c), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav/Mohammed Shami
Likely XI (West Indies): Jonathan Carter, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammad, Roston Chase, Kieran Powell, Shai Hope (wk), Jason Holder (c), Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Miguel Cummins, Kesrick WilliamsSquads
India: Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Dinesh Karthik
West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammad, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Kesrick Williams
