The Windies pulled off a spectacular chase in the first ODI to set up an intriguing match in Vizag.
The tourists pulled the rug out from underneath their hosts early to seize the initiative, but they will need to brace for the response from Virat Kohli’s men.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Second ODI (D/N) | Wednesday 18 December 2019 | ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 10:00
To Win
India 31/100
Tie 35/1
West Indies 5/2
India
India’s soft underbelly was exposed in Chepauk when their potent top three faltered in the face of some great new ball bowling.
The early strikes left India to consolidate their effort, and while Shreyas Iyer prevented further damage with his innings, he couldn’t get things moving when he needed to, and the hosts left runs out on the park as a result.
India also learned that there is no accounting for Caribbean flair but probably could have done with an extra wicket-taking bowler. Kuldeep Yadav showed good control, but the Windies could see him off and punish the rest.
It might be suggested that India drop allrounder Shivam Dube in favour of a frontline bowler, considering where he is being asked to bat.
West Indies
The Windies know they have the players to blow a team off the park like they did off the back of Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer’s hundreds in Chepauk, but they want to be more consistent.
The Hope/Hetmyer axis has already promised much across multiple formats, but the pair go missing too often.
Sheldon Cottrell ranks among the best white-ball bowlers in the world right now, and the damage he did upfront in the series opener prevented India from getting on top. Skipper Kieron Pollard will want more of the same from his strike bowler.
Of concern for the West Indies will be their spin department which they stocked with allrounders in match one of the series but neither Hayden Walsh jr nor Roston Chase claimed any wickets.
Verdict: India 31/100
India to hit back
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
