Disconsolate West Indies Face Uphill Challenge

London: India will aim to continue their winning streak and inch a step closer to a spot in the semi-finals as they face West Indies in their sixth match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.

Overview:

India v West Indies
Old Trafford, Manchester
2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Match 34
Thursday, 27 June; 10.30am GMT, 09.30am local

West Indies come into this match after a heartbreaking five-run loss to New Zealand – a game that seemed all but over before Carlos Brathwaite almost produced an unimaginable result. Such has been the story of the Jason Holder-led side in this tournament so far, as the little flashes of brilliance at different points haven’t been enough to produce the desired results. Andre Russell, who appeared to be in discomfort each time he stepped onto the field, has been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury.

With mathematical permutations still giving them an outside chance for a semi-final berth, West Indies will aim to pull off a complete performance against an in-form Indian side.

The Indian bowlers once again proved their match-winning capabilities as they successfully defended a below-par score against Afghanistan on Saturday. Mohammed Shami, who picked up a hat-trick in Southampton, is likely to retain his place in the playing XI as India are unlikely to risk playing Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

The Indian middle-order will look to add more stability to the batting and bat deep into the innings to give bowlers enough runs in the bank.

Key Players

Virat Kohli (India): The Indian captain has scored fifties in each of his last three innings to give enough evidence of his batting form. Kohli, who already has 41 one-day international hundreds to his name and averages 70.77 against West Indies, will eye for another three digit score to guide his team to a position of strength.

Sheldon Cottrell (West Indies): The tall left-arm pacer from Jamaica has been a strike bowler for West Indies in this tournament, producing performances worthy of a ‘salute’. Cottrell, who dismissed both the New Zealand openers in the first over and finished with figures of 4/56 against New Zealand, could be a key weapon for West Indies.

It will be a dry and mostly sunny day with warmth and humidity. Dryness might bring the spinners into play as the day progresses. Teams batting first have won each of the three matches played at Old Trafford in this tournament so far.

Squads

India: Virat Kohli (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav

West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Kemar Roach, Darren Bravo, Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shannon Gabriel, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas, Nicholas Pooran