Date: 17 October, 2.30 pm IST
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
Series tied at 1-1
The scrapped third ODI owing to the cyclone in Vishakapatnam throws greater importance to the upcoming fixture at Dharamsala on Friday. Considering the number of international venues in India, ironically also the largest cricket playing nation, it should be silly not to host a game even after learning no possibility of play with the original schedule.
Despite having half-a-dozen nearby grounds, the powerful men allowed the teams to enjoy their leisure times in optional practice sessions! With some countries even hosting an entire series in a single stadium, why do the organizers failed to reschedule the match in Delhi, the venue for the 2nd match itself.
A lot to answer. Well, let us move on anyway to the task at hand. A spirited West Indies side, despite having their off-field problems gave the home side a run for their money in both the two completed matches. Unfortunately for Dwayne Bravo's men, India had too much in the bag to deny West Indies a second win of the series at the national capital.
With the series being dubbed as World Cup preparations, a lot of Indian fans would have expected MS Dhoni's side to whitewash the depleted Caribbeans. But, the World Champions now face a situation to win both their next two matches to secure a series win. A washout alright, but still, not convincing indeed.
And the last thing India would want is a series loss at home before getting on the flight to Australia. Another defeat to the side that is lying far below the ranking table definitely will not be acceptable, that too months ahead of the mega event Down Under.
Overall: Played 114 - India 51 - West Indies 60 - Tied 1 - No result 2
Since 2010: Played 19 - India 13 - West Indies 6
Teams are yet to face each other at Dharamsala.
Recent results (Completed matches, most recent first)
India - WLLWW
West Indies - LWWWW
Most runs in Ind v WI matches (among the current players)
Most runs in Ind v WI matches (among the current players)
WI: Marlon Samuels - 1028 runs from 37 innings @ 32.12
India: Virat Kohli - 983 runs from 20 innings @ 54.61
Most wickets in Ind v WI matches (among the current players)
WI: Ravi Rampaul - 28 wickets from 14 innings; economy 5.62
Ind: Ravindra Jadeja - 25 wickets from 15 innings; economy 4.64
Possible playing XI
Given the fact that the series is still there to be won and MS Dhoni's policy of not changing a winning combination (in most cases), India in all likelihood will go in unchanged.
India: Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami.
The Windies have no big names in the bench to make any alterations to their line-up. Lendl Simmons is out of the tournament with back injury and that is forcing Bravo to play the same side again.
West Indies: Dwayne Smith, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Dwayne Bravo (c), Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Sulieman Benn, Ravi Rampaul, Jerome Taylor.
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