Rohit Sharma-led India will have a chance to create history at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. A win in third ODI will make Rohit the first Indian captain to clean sweep West Indies in an ODI series with three or more games. In the second ODI, Rohit and the team management showed that they are not afraid to experiment when Rishabh Pant walked out to open the innings. With Shikhar Dhawan set to return for the final ODI, we may see a few changes in middle-order and bowling department.
Shardul Thakur was preferred over Deepak Chahar despite the latter’s performance with both bat and ball against South Africa in a losing cause. However, there is one fast bowler who has been anxiously waiting for a chance to make his international debut despite travelling with the team on several tours. It should not be a surprise if we see Avesh Khan being handed his debut cap. It can also mark the return of Kuldeep Yadav in the team or a debut for young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
Rohit may not like to make too many changes in the middle order. KL Rahul made a fruitful return to the middle-order with a valuable 49 in second ODI whereas Suryakumar Yadav showed that he can curb his natural instinct and play according to the situation with a gritty fifty to get India out of trouble.
On the other hand, West Indies batting lineup has let them down so far. Their first priority will be to play out the full 50 overs. In the first ODI, they over-attacked and lost too many wickets whereas in the second game they were outclassed by a rampant Prasidh Krishna. West Indies’ inability to build big partnerships has prevented them from controlling the game.
Kieron Pollard, who missed the second ODI due to a niggle, will be returning to the side. Stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran did a good job in the first innings but failed to shine with the bat when his side needed someone to stay at the crease and rebuild the innings. West Indies may make a change or two in the middle order whereas the bowling department does not require any tinkering. Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach have been impressive in the series so far.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Shahrukh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar, Ishan Kishan, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav
West Indies: Shai Hope (wk), Brandon King, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran(c), Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Fabian Allen, Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Hayden Walsh, Romario Shepherd, Nkrumah Bonner, Kieron Pollard
