India vs West Indies: Top five key player clashes to watch out for
India face West Indies in a five ODI and one T20I away series starting on Friday. Though the teams might look like being on the opposite side of the spectrum, a battered Indian team, post ICC Champions Trophy final loss, might face a tricky situation against the home team.
India’s limited over series with West Indies is an interesting contest. While on one side is Virat Kohli’s India, who have been a consistent side in the past one year, the other team in question – West Indies – are still looking to find ground, with several issues plaguing the once cricket giants.
India have their own share of problems. Apart of their comprehensive loss to Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, the revelations of a rift between Anil Kumble and Kohli have not helped matters.
Read | India vs West Indies 2017: A look at the previous 10 ODIs
Amid all this drama, a look at the top five players clashes that are likely to light up the contest:
1. Virat Kohli vs Jason Holder
The two captains face almost similar situations. Kohli is facing the heat currently after his rift with Anil Kumble while Holder has the big responsibility to lead to team to a result that can ensure its direct entry into 2019 World Cup.
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On field, Kohli has been in good form scoring three half-centuries in the ICC Champions Trophy. Holder will have to bring out his A-game as in the Afghanistan ODI series he did not perform well both with the bat and the ball. However, he is an experienced customer.
2. Shikhar Dhawan vs Ashley Nurse
Shikhar Dhawan is in top form after having scored a century and two half-centuries in the ICC Champions Trophy. He was also the highest run-getter of the event. In Rohit Sharma’s absence, the onus will be on left-handed opener Dhawan to give the team a great start.
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Spinner Ashley Nurse was the top wicket-taker for Windies in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan. Whether his tricks will be enough to stop the marauding Dhawan will be a big question for the Caribbean team.
3. Hardik Pandya vs Miguel Cummins
Hardik Pandya has emerged as a good fast bowling all rounder option in the Indian ranks of late. He has ability to go for the big shots and also bowl decent medium pace. He will be the one to watch out for tin the Caribbean Island.
Right-arm fast bowler Cummins, in the absence of Shannon Gabriel, will have to spearhead the fast bowling attack of West Indies. He was economical in the Afghanistan series but India will be a different ball-game altogether.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Evin Lewis
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has steadily gone up the ranks in recent years. His prowess in the late overs as well as the new ball makes the shy pacer a lethal player. He also performed well in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy.
The 25-year-old opener Lewis is an exciting new talent and has given enough promise to be a good batsman in the years to come. In the 14 ODIs he has played, Lewis scored 383 runs, including a century. If he succeeds against India, the world will take note of him.
5. Umesh Yadav vs Shai Hope
Umesh Yadav got to play only two matches in the ICC Champions Trophy and would be raring to go against the Windies. He has improved over the years and is no longer the ways ward that he once was.
The 23-year-old Hope is another youngster who has been inducted in the team. He has one half-century in 13 matches and against Afghanistan he was the top run-scorer in the ODI series.