India were expected to have it easy against low-ranked West Indies in ODIs as well after dominating most part of the Test series.
But it was only in the final game that India could actually romp to a win and take the ODI series 2-1. The Windies, having quite a few inexperienced players in their line-up, ran them close in the series opener in spite of defending only 115 before making it 1-1 with a thumping six-wicket win in the second game.
Team India, however, would prefer to concentrate more on the positives. Also, with the 50-over World Cup just over two months away, they must be looking to iron out the flaws that were noticed during these three ODIs.
Their real test will obviously be in the Asia Cup and the home ODIs against Australia in September, but the matches against the Windies should give the management an idea of the combination they are looking for. “This series was an opportunity to experiment, which they have done and at present, their focus must be on finalising the combinations,” former national selector Devang Gandhi told The
Telegraph on Wednesday.
Kishan’s stability
One of the aspects that stood out for India in the just-concluded series is the stability Ishan Kishan has been able to provide at the top. With regular captain Rohit Sharma coming down the order in the first ODI and sitting out the next two matches, the 25-year-old ensured he made use of that opportunity and came up with a contribution of significance, hitting three half-centuries on the trot.
Without a doubt, Kishan has made a strong case for himself with his consistency. If KL Rahul doesn’t make the World Cup squad, Kishan will most likely continue as India’s No.1 keeper-batter.
Finisher Pandya
Tasked with leading the team in the last two ODIs, Hardik Pandya had to do something meaningful with the bat after falling cheaply in the first two matches. India were quite well placed when he came in, but what’s worth appreciating is Pandya’s calmness out there in the middle.
Just as Mahendra Singh Dhoni would do, the seamer all-rounder took his time to settle down, and once set, he did what he does best: smashing the ball in the closing overs and proving his finishing skills once again.
Shardul ability
Having proved himself in away Tests, seamer all-rounder Shardul Thakur has brightened his prospects for a World Cup berth as he finished as India’s highest wicket-taker (eight scalps) in the Caribbean ODIs. One can’t just ignore Shardul given his uncanny knack for picking up wickets and the ability to score some useful runs in the lower order.
India's Suryakumar Yadav plays a shot from a delivery of West Indies' Yannic Cariah, right, during the third ODI cricket match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago AP/PTI photo
SKY role
To be fair to Suryakumar Yadav, he did try to break away from his ODI struggles with a 30-ball 35 in the death overs on Tuesday. “Ideally, Surya should be slotted as No.6 as Hardik and he could be the finisher alongside (Ravindra) Jadeja. He can play his natural game at No.6,” Devang pointed out.
However, Surya and a few other batsmen need to sort out their problems against spin. If Windies left-armer Gudakesh Motie can pose problems on helpful tracks, one can imagine how tough it could be for the Indian batters against spinners of stronger units.
