IND vs WI 2nd ODI Preview: In-form India eye series victory in Guwahati

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India’s in-form batting lineup remains a powerhouse; however, an unsettled pace-bowling attack poses a challenge as the hosts prepare to face the West Indies in the second match of the ODI series in Guwahati on Wednesday.

While the batting department starred in Thiruvananthapuram as Virat Kohli rolled back the years with a record-breaking century alongside skipper Shubman Gill, chasing down a 296-run target in under 42 overs, the bowling unit raised concerns.

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, and with Mohammed Siraj rested to trial Nitish Kumar Reddy with the new ball, the pace department lacked any threat. Reddy struggled for accuracy on return from a quadriceps injury, conceding 17 runs in his first over.

With Hardik yet to attain fitness clearance and Bumrah away on Asian Games duty, team management has a choice to make: persist with developing Nitish Reddy or recall the experienced Siraj. Alternatively, handing Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi his much-anticipated debut remains an intriguing option against the West Indies side. Bowling coach Morne Morkel previously stated:

“It will be great for Indian cricket if we can keep on developing him and for him to compete for that all-rounder spot. He’s got all the talent and all the ability to do that,” Morkel said. 

Virat Kohli is India’s in-form man

India’s top order looked supreme in the first ODI against West Indies, spearheaded by Kohli’s masterclass chase that brought up his 15,000 ODI runs milestone.

For West Indies, Wednesday’s fixture is a must-win match. Head coach Darren Sammy’s squad must improve on their fielding, which let the visitors down in the last match. The West Indian side dropped both Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma in the last match.

Squads for both teams:

India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vc), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.

West Indies: Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.

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