India play West Indies in must-win game today
Their campaign in tatters after two consecutive defeats, India need to regroup quickly as they go into a must-win match against hosts West Indies in the tri-series here on Friday.
The Champions Trophy winners have suddenly looked vulnerable as the young Indian players found it tough to come to terms with the challenging conditions.
As if the two-paced Caribbean wickets were not enough to trouble the Indians, injury to charismatic skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has only made the job tough for them.
Friday’s contest comes as a huge challenge and test for the leadership quality of Virat Kohli, who is being considered as a future captain of the country.
Kohli’s tactics during the big-defeat against Sri lanka did not work and it will be interesting to see how he leads the young pack in the pressure match, where a defeat will virtually ensure their elimination.
West Indies are best placed so far with nine points, courtesy two wins from as many matches while Sri lanka are second with five points. Both the teams have managed to win a bonus point.
A victory will keep India alive in the competition. Their defeat would send the hosts into the final and from there, India’s chances to qualify for the final will depend on a lot of ifs and buts.
First and foremost, India would need a favour from the West Indies that the hosts beat Sri lanka in their final league match on Sunday and then India will have to beat the Asian neighbours on Tuesday in a certain number of overs to make it to the summit clash.
India’s victory will keep the tournament open as all three teams will have a chance to book a place in the title clash.
Considering the grim situation, India need stroke-maker Shikhar Dhawan to yet again provide a solid opening along with Rohit Sharma, who is the only one so far from the side to score a half-century. In the first two matches, their partnership has not gone beyond five overs. It’s crucial that the two batsmen click as India thrives on good starts.
The players are in form and they need to apply better according to conditions. The bowlers struggled to find length against Sri lanka and repeat of the same will be suicidal against the big-hitting Caribbean players.
Chris Gayle is always a big threat and his opening partner Johnson Charles has also given a good account of himself. Kieron Pollard in the middle and Darren Sammy in the lower order are also capable of taking the game away from the opposition on their day.
India may leave out Shami Ahmed and bring back Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. It is also unlikely that Ambati Rayudu will get his debut match in the crucial game.
For West Indies, captain Dwayne Bravo is likely to come back to side, having missed the India match due to a groin strain.
India fined for slow over-rate
Kingston: India’s stand-in captain Virat Kohlihas been fined 20 per cent of his match fees and his team-mates 10 per cent for maintaining a slow over rate in their Tri-nation ODI series match against Sri lanka.
India were handed an embarrassing 165-run defeat by the Sri lankans in the match that took place at the Sabina Place on Tuesday.
“In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, and in particular the regulations contained therein governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount,” the ICC said in a statement.
“As such, Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his team mates received 10 per cent fines,” it added.
Jeff Crowe, of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, imposed the fines after Kohli’s side was ruled to be one over short of its target, after time allowances were taken into consideration.
“The offence is contrary to Article 2.5.1 of the Code. The penalty was accepted by India without contest so there was no need for a hearing,” the statement further said.
It was India’s second defeat on the trot, having lost to the hosts West Indies in their series opener at the same venue.