- Shikhar Dhawan’s return to Playing XI in WI vs IND 3rd ODI confirmed, this is how Team India’s captain will clear West Indies
Vinay Kumar
The last match of the 3-match ODI series against West Indies will be played on Friday, February 11 at the same ‘Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad’, where India have won both the opening matches. Although India has captured the series, captain Rohit Sharma would like to have a ‘clean sweep’ in this series by defeating West Indies in the last match as well. For this, the return of regular opener Shikhar Dhawan in this match will give more strength to the batting of the Indian team.
Significantly, 4 other players including Team India’s opener Shikhar Dhawan were found to be COVID-19 positive before the start of the ODI series. Now that Shikar Dhawan is returning to the team, the composition of the team can be changed in the last match. You know that in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, Ishan Kishan in the first match and Rishabh Pant in the second match, along with captain Rohit Sharma had batted on the field as an opener.
Team India’s easy win in the first two matches
After winning the second match of the IND vs WI ODI series by 44 runs, Team India captain Rohit Sharma had said that Shikhar Dhawan would play in the last match. The captain said, “Shikhar Dhawan will play the next match. It’s not always about the result, he needs to spend time on the field.
A picture has become clear from this that the team’s vice-captain KL Rahul will again bat with Virat Kohli in the middle order. It is worth noting that in the second match of the series, the Indian team was able to score only 237 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Now in the last match if India’s team bats first, then it will have to score big.
It is worth noting that in the second match, captain Rohit Sharma could not even do double digits. But, it cannot be denied that if he and Shikhar Dhawan come in form, then they can tear apart the dangerous bowling. Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav will enter the middle order. Suryakumar Yadav has cemented his place in the playing XI by scoring 64 runs in the last match (in the second match). Yes, after the return of Shikhar Dhawan in the team, now the team management will take a decision regarding all-rounder Deepak Hooda.
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Who will the selectors give a chance in the last match?
It is worth noting that in both the matches played in this series (IND vs WI ODI Series, 2022), the bowlers of Team India performed tremendously. In the first match, the West Indies team, batting first, was bundled out for 176 runs and in the second match, Thiem, chasing a target of 238 runs, could only score 193 runs and lost.
Since, India has won the ODI series. In such a situation, the team management can give a chance to new players by making some changes in the playing XI in the last match. Left arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be looking to make a comeback after recovering from an injury. Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi can also be included. If that happens, Yuzvendra Chahal or Washington Sundar will be rested. Fast bowler Awesh Khan from Indore is also waiting to get a chance.
In the second match of the series played on Wednesday, 9 February, India’s fast bowler Prasiddha Krishna took 4 wickets for West Indies and Shardul Thakur also bowled well. So there is little hope of getting them out. Mohammad Siraj will have to rest if Avesh Khan is included.
On the other hand, the West Indies team would like to win the last match at any cost in view of their reputation at stake in this series. The history of ODI cricket shows that in the last 17 ODIs, the West Indies team could not play the full 50 overs for the 11th time. West Indies captain Kieron Pollard and all-rounder Jason Holder will have to play big innings if the final match is to be won.