The West Indies series against India has been hit hard by rain but that hasn’t prevented Virat Kohli from making an impact.
West Indies vs IndiaWednesday 14 August 2019
Queen’s Park Oval
Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
15:30
To Win
West Indies 5/2
Draw 35/1
India 31/100
West Indies
Evin Lewis looks to be regaining his best form but he is in serious need of some support at the top after another batting unit failure over the weekend. Chris Gayle has misfired twice but you can never write off the Universe Boss and he is expected to partner Lewis in opening the batting again.
India have chosen to use their spinners early and that has given the West Indies more trouble than it should in their own backyard.
The Windies own spinner, Roston Chase, bowled well but lacked the kind of penetration that Kuldeep Yadav gives India. Chase is also part of a faltering middle-order and could find himself axed if he can’t find a way to contribute more meaningfully.
The West Indies have played well in patches and have been able to put India under pressure when they have had the ball in hand but they need runs from that middle order of Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer.
India
Not only was Kohli world-class in the second ODI yet again, and now cruising towards the all-time century record in the format, but the skipper was backed up by some brilliant new-ball bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Kumar claimed 4/31 in eight overs in the second ODI of the series and ran through the top order with Kuldeep, giving their hosts little chance of hauling in the DLS adjusted target. He has shown himself to be possibly the best with the new white ball in world cricket.
Shreyas Iyer has been under the spotlight and came through with an important knock in partnership with his skipper in the first of two matches in Port of Spain. Back at the same venue for the final game, Iyer needs to make the most of his opportunities to impress at number four. The position has been troublesome for India but Iyer is a ridiculously talented young batsman and could be a powerhouse for the men in blue.
Mohammad Shami has resurrected his ODI career with a strong run in the team stretching back to just before the World Cup. He has done so well that India have not missed the talents of Jasprit Bumrah in this series.
Verdict: India 31/100
Kohli’s men to finish this off.
