Uzair Rizvi, BeyondHeadlines
India and West Indies will look to end the ODI series with a win as they lock horns in the final match on Thursday at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
Despite the series having been decided, it should be a keenly fought encounter. Especially after what happened in the fourth ODI, after leading the series 3-0 Indians were crushed by resurgent Windies side by 103 runs.
Courtesy: AFP
The Indians made a plethora of changes in the fourth ODI, something that seemed to be the cause of their defeat.
Their last three wins have not been a team effort but have come on the back of some consistent performers like Rohit Sharma with the bat and Amit Mishra with the ball.
Vinay Kumar and Wriddhiman Saha are the only players haven’t been tried yet. They could get a game as the place for the Test Series is up for the grabs with the squad not being announced yet.
It seems that Munaf Patel and Harbhajan who were rested in the previous ODI could make a comeback.
Leg Spinner Mishra has been exceptional throughout the series with 9 wickets in the bag.
Skipper Raina has failed to play a captain innings and Pathan has looked better with bowl and poor with the bat.
On the other hand, West Indies will be ecstatic with their win in the last ODI, but will know that their middle-order continues to trouble them.
Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard hold the key for the hosts with brittle middle-order.
Adrian Barath makes his comeback after injury and is sure of getting a berth in place of un-impressive Kirk Edwards.
Rampaul was rested in the fourth ODI will also come in place of Hyatt.
The lower order has shown some signs of resurgence, it is the top order that needs to tackle the Indian bowlers.
The three-pronged pace attack of Roach, Rampaul and Russell will definitely aim to spoil Visitors party.
Sammy and the two spinners Bishoo and Martin who took four wickets in the last game will ably support them.
Windies will be without Gayle on his home turf.
The Barbados track will have a lot of bounce for the Windies seamers.The fourth ODI too being played on a bouncy wicket saw the Indians running for cover. And the hosts will be all smiled as this will offer more bounce than the Antigua wicket.
The final game appears to be the battle between Indian batsmen and West Indies bowlers.
India currently lead the series 3-1 and will want to win this one have a psychological advantage over the Caribbean’s before the tests while hosts will want their favorable Sabina Park offer them another victory to gain some momentum and carry it on in the Test Series.
Likely Teams-
India- Suresh Raina(capt), Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, S.Badrinath, M.Tiwari, Amit Mishra, Vinay Kumar, Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma.
West Indies- Darren Sammy (capt), L.Simmons, M.Samuels, R.Sarwan, A.Barath, K.Pollard, C.Baugh (wk), R.Rampaul, A.Martin, Kemar Roach, A.Russell.
