Both of India’s ODIs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati have ended in wins for them, and they will be looking to maintain that perfect record when they take on the West Indies in the second fixture on Wednesday. The contest gets underway at 2:00 PM IST, and the outcome may well determine which side comes out on top of the three-match series.
The first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram saw Virat Kohli roll back the years with a record-breaking century, while captain Shubman Gill also hit a hundred as India chased down 296 in under 42 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took 4-40 and made crucial strikes to underline his importance to the attack. But the pace department looked less convincing in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
Kohli’s Record Century
Kohli’s century in the opener was a record-breaking performance. Gill’s hundred alongside him gave India a strong platform, and the chase was completed in style.
Siraj Left Out
India chose to open the bowling with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy instead of Mohammed Siraj in the first ODI. That choice was part of a practice run for next year’s ODI World Cup, though the attempt did not work out as planned. The bowlers were unable to handle the pressure, and the decision to keep the more experienced Siraj off the field has led to questions about the reasoning behind it.
For many years Siraj has been a dependable member of the side, and his absence was noticeable during the opening match. It is still uncertain whether he will come back for the second ODI.
Good Memories at Barsapara
Kohli has hit hundreds in both ODI fixtures at this ground, and India have come away victorious from both encounters. Rohit Sharma has put up a century and a half-century at the venue too. The pitch plays well for batting, which means the bowlers are likely to face another stern examination. Every one of the four innings in the two ODIs played here has produced scores of more than 300.
The first match at the Greenfield International Stadium tested the bowlers from both teams, putting pressure on the pacemen. If the runs keep flowing, India’s spinners will have to perform well.
What India Need to Do
The team’s hitting continues to be its strongest asset, with Kohli and Gill among those who can put up big totals. However, the fast-bowling partnership is a worry, particularly given that Bumrah and Pandya are not around to contribute.
The selectors chose to leave Siraj and Auqib Nabi out of the starting eleven for the opening match. Whether the team’s leadership decides to change the attack for the next ODI remains uncertain, though the circumstances point towards a possible alteration.
How to Watch
The Star Sports Network will broadcast the match live, while the JioHotstar app and website will stream it live. Those who cannot get to the stadium can keep up with the action from wherever they happen to be.
The teams are:
- India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul share captaincy duties; Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
- West Indies: Shai Hope (captain); Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.
The Bottom Line
A victory in Guwahati would seal the series for India, who have a strong batting lineup but need to shore up their bowling. The return of Siraj would give them a lift, and the track record at this venue works in their favour.
Under batting-friendly conditions, this match promises to be a memorable day of cricket, with plenty of runs on offer for both sides. The real test will come from the bowlers, who will need to find ways to take wickets when the pitch favours the batsmen.
Source material: “IND vs WI, live streaming: When and where to watch second ODI as India look to seal series,” Yahoo Sports.
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