Almost like clockwork, India found the expected response to going 1-0 down in the three-match ODI series in Vizag.
The second ODI was dominated by the brutal batting of Rohit Sharma supported by Lokesh Rahul. Cuttack will play host to the series decider at the historic Barabati Stadium.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
India vs West Indies | Sunday 22 December 2019 | Barabati Stadium, Cuttack | 10:00
To Win Match
India 22/100
Tie 35/1
West Indies 34/10
India
India have already shown that when they click there isn’t a side in the world that can match them, but they can fall prey to a lack of intensity at times.
Rohit Sharma has had an incredible year across all formats, but in ODI cricket he has truly been a force to be reckoned with in 2019.
Despite smashing a quickfire fifty in match two, Shreyas Iyer had a day he might want to forget, embarrassing himself by celebrating his fifty when he had only 49 on the board and then getting a severe dressing down from Sharma in the field. International cricket can be an unforgiving space indeed.
Kuldeep Yadav found his form spectacularly becoming the first India player to take two international hat-tricks. The Windies collapsed under pressure in the chase as the hosts made amends for their opening match slip-ups.
India have not lost at the Barabati Stadium since 2003.
West Indies
The Windies play their fourth ODI in Cuttack on Sunday, chasing their first-ever win at the venue.
In the series to date, the West Indies have been competitive in patches but still lack the consistency they need to rise to a place among the game’s elite.
For the tourists so much hinges on the performance of Shimron Hetmyer, whose match-winning qualities are up there with the best in the Caribbean’s rich cricket history.
Sheldon Cottrell was lined up by Sharma and took a rare pounding in the second match which allowed India to take control early. The quick has been world-class with the white ball in hand in recent years but now needs to find a response to the punishment he received.
Verdict: India 22/100
India have the momentum and should get this done.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
