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Narendra Modi Stadium was transported to South Africa?

The pitch had bounce bite and movement. It was as if the match was played in SENA countries. As mentioned in my last article, I had predicted that India will win,  India clinically clinched the 11th consecutive series win over West Indies. The only other team to achieve the feat is Pakistan (against Zimbabwe). Now Rohit Sharma has won 10 matches out of 12 as captain and has the best win percentage for an India skipper after their first 10 matches.

Team Changes were forced 

Firstly, Windies skipper Pollard was out being unfit, and Odeon Smith replaced him. KL Rahul was available and he had to play the scapegoat was Ishan Kishan, who had played well in the first ODI.

Amazing Strategy

People are surprised at two decisions of Rohit, firstly Why Pant was asked to open and secondly and subsequently why KL Rahul was deposed from opening.

It is the farsightedness of Rohit for world cup 2023, which is to take place in India. I have written repeatedly that Pant will hole out in ODI and T20,  and don't expect much from him,   however, his lofted shots are effective in tests. So Pant can be effective in ODIs if he exploits field restrictions. He used to open in Under 19 and that was an effective plan but it flopped as the pitch had too much movement. 

Further India needs a backup for Dhawan as the southpaw got injured in the 2019 campaign and India suffered.

Now KL Rahul is a 360-degree player, who can keep the score ticking in middle overs as field restrictions are there. Yesterday he was able to play run-a-ball innings when everyone was choked. So he is the choice for the no. 5 position in the world cup and he should be groomed.

West Indies will rue the chances of squaring the series as 238 was a target that could be chased. Darren Bravo and Pooran are not good enough. Hope is the only player, who could have ensured victory and he fell prey, and chances became bleak. Coming of age of Brooks, Husein and Smith is a good sign for West Indies cricket.

It was a marvelous performance of Rohit as captain. Bowling changes to give bowling to Hooda and when Odeon Smith was on song then to give  Washington Sundar with leg-side trap proved his astuteness.

The dead rubber

Pollard will be back and I expect Fabien Allen to be replaced. Similarly, Bonner should replace the out-of-form Darren Bravo.

For India, Dhawan should be back and I feel Kuldeep and Chahar to be given chance as India needs to experiment for the World cup.

Match timings

Match Toss Time: 13:00 IST (07:30 GMT)

Match Start Time: 13:30 IST (08:00 GMT)

Match Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Head to head

Matches Played: 135, India: 66, West Indies 63: 15, Tied: 2, NR: 4

Probable playing Xl

India (IND): Rohit Sharma(C), Ishan Kishan/ Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda, Shardul Thakur, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav/ Washington Sundar, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

West Indies (WI): Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo/ Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Odeon Smith, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Kemar Roach

Toss

Dew was not a factor in 2nd ODI but still, winning the toss will mean Batting second.

Prediction

I feel if the West Indies bat first then they can not score more than 260, which India can chase. In case India bats first then they can set up a total in the vicinity of 300 and win rather comfortably. West Indies can win it only if a brilliant performance is achieved by Holder, Hope, or Pollard.

So, India is winning the 3rd ODI too, and adding salt to the wound of the hapless West Indies team.

Cricwizz predicts India to win the 3rd ODI against West Indies and seal the series, 3-0.

Happy viewing.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the author's view and do not necessarily reflect the official match scores, proceedings, or position of the match in any way.