India will aim to continue with their unbeaten streak in the ongoing World Cup when they face a low-on-confidence West Indies team
High-flying India faces West Indies in match number 34 of the ICC World Cup 2019 on Thursday.
Virat Kohli’s side will be looking to script its fifth victory in the ongoing tourney. A loss for Windies will see them get knocked out of the 2019 World Cup. India will be aiming to get the maximum out of the clash against West Indies at Old Trafford.
Both India and West Indies have some big players on offer and the contest between bat and ball could get interesting. Let’s have a look here.
Jasprit Bumrah will test West Indies openers
Jasprit Bumrah’s accuracy and consistency with the ball will test the West Indian openers. Bumrah has variety in his armour and his short balls, in particular, could trouble Shai Hope.
Bumrah will relish the battle against Chris Gayle, who scored a fifty in the previous match against New Zealand.
Bumrah will need to keep things tight against Gayle and not offer any room.
Indian spinners will relish bowling against Pooran and Hetmyer
Both these powerful West Indies youngsters have batted well in the ongoing World Cup.
Their ability to be aggressive will be put to test by Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Indian spinners have not given away many runs and the two could force Hetmyer and Pooran to give a charge.
WI pacers need to be smart against India’s top order
West Indian pacers cannot keep bowling on the shorter side to the Indian top order. This could lead them to get punished.
Sheldon Cottrell will target Rohit Sharma and try to get the ball to swing in against him.
Jason Holder’s offerings against Virat Kohli will be a pleasing sight. He will need to bowl tightly outside the off stump and tease Kohli.
WI will focus on India’s middle order
India’s middle order will be eyed upon by the Windies. That’s where the role of Carlos Brathwaite becomes crucial. Windies may be tempted to play spinner Ashley Nurse.
Both these bowlers will need to tie down India’s middle order. As far as India is concerned, the batsmen have to find a way and rotate the strike better.
Old Trafford: A look at ground
According to reports, despite the weather being cloudy and overcast at the moment, Thursday will witness a dry and sunny day.
The spinners will come into play as the day progresses. Whoever wins the toss, batting first will be the way forward.
DKODING Analysis:
India goes into the match as the favorites. Meanwhile, Windies need to find inspiration from somewhere and put up a fight.
