Virat Kohli show sets India up for series win, West Indies look for answers in Guwahati

India will be looking for another dominant performance, but Guwahati could offer the West Indies one last chance to bounce back before the series falls away. After being bowled over by Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill in the opening ODI, the visitors arrive at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium with a lot of questions to answer.

In India, the mood is markedly different. Kohli’s sublime century and Gill’s fluent hundred saw them to a comfortable eight-wicket victory in Thiruvananthapuram, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead and firmly in control of the series. The second ODI now gives them an opportunity to finish the job while allowing several of their key players to build further momentum.

Kohli’s unbeaten 139 in the first ODI was another reminder of his ability to take control of the chase. He found the boundary with remarkable ease and alongside Gill ensured India were never really in danger after the West Indies posted a competitive total.

The former Indian captain will have another milestone in his sights in Guwahati. His century in the opening ODI took his tally of international hundreds against the West Indies to 13, level with Sunil Gavaskar. Another hundred would take Kohli past Gavaskar and make him leading manufacturer of the century against the Caribbean side in international cricket.

However, the record is probably secondary to India’s larger target. With the series all but sealed, the hosts will want another clinical performance and fear West Indies could be back in the contest.

INDIA EYE ANOTHER STRONG BATTLING SHOW

India will look to put together another strong performance with the bat, with Kohli and Shubman Gill both arriving in Guwahati after scoring hundreds in the opening game. Gill, who leads India in the ODI format, looked commanding during his 110 and combined beautifully with Kohli during their match-winning partnership.

The pair added 151 runs and effectively took the game away from West Indies after the visitors made a promising start with the ball. India will be hoping for more of the same, especially with the ODI World Cup cycle firmly in focus.

Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, will be looking to get some runs under his belt. The veteran opener made 32 in the first ODI to give India a flying start before falling to Jayden Seales. With Rohit continuing to be an important part of India’s plans, another opportunity to spend significant time at the crease will be valuable.

India also have plenty of depth beyond their stellar top order. Ruturaj Gaikwad finished the first ODI unbeaten while the likes of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal offer other options as India continue to assess their combinations.

For the West Indies, the first challenge will feature India’s top order. Their bowlers struggled to maintain the pressure after Rohit’s dismissal in the first ODI, allowing Kohli and Gill to dictate the pace of the chase.

The visitors will also hope that their bowlers learn from the mistakes of the opening match. Once the second-wicket partnership was established, India hardly bothered and West Indies will need early wickets if they are to stage a contest in the second ODI.

JADEJA WANTED TO BRAND HIMSELF BY WIRELESS

Ravindra Jadeja went wicketless in the first ODI. Courtesy: Reuters

Ravindra Jadeja will be keen to make a bigger impact in Guwahati after returning to the ODI side without a wicket in the first match. The all-rounder bowled his full quota of 10 overs but failed to give India a breakthrough as Justin Greaves and John Campbell put on 135 runs.

Jadeja’s return is significant as India continue to build towards the ODI World Cup in 2027. He missed the ODIs against Afghanistan and England before returning to the XI against the West Indies, bringing his experience and all-round ability to a side that is still struggling to settle on its ideal combination.

While Kuldeep Yadav ended up changing the face of the first ODI with his four-wicket haul, Jadeja will look to make his presence felt in Guwahati with both bat and ball. His ability to command the middle overs and contribute lower down the order remains an important part of India’s plans.

SHOTS EXCLUDED WITH CALF INJURY

Justin Greaves has been ruled out of the 2nd ODI due to injury. Courtesy: PTI

West Indies suffered a huge blow ahead of the second ODI, with Justin Greaves ruled out with a calf injury. The all-rounder produced a memorable innings in the opening match, scoring his maiden ODI century and giving the visitors a strong platform.

Greaves scored 101 off 108 balls and looked completely in control during his partnership with Campbell. His dismissal sparked West Indies’ slide, but his century has already highlighted his importance to their batting plans.

His absence leaves the West Indies without the player who provided the foundation for their strong start in Thiruvananthapuram. It will also remove a batsman who has just produced a career-best performance against a potent Indian attack.

In his absence, Jewel Andrew could be pushed down the order to open the innings with John Campbell. Sherfane Rutherford, who missed the opener for personal reasons, is likely to slot into the middle order.

West Indies will be hoping the changes help them produce a more complete performance. Their top order showed they could put Indian bowlers under pressure, but a collapse in the middle overs highlighted the difference between a promising start and a competitive finish.

India, on the other hand, will see Guwahati as an opportunity to keep the momentum going. Kohli will get another chance to chase history, Gill will look to continue his great run, Rohit will want time in the middle and Jadeja will be eager to leave a bigger mark.

For West Indies, the task is clear: find answers quickly and keep the series alive. India, meanwhile, will look to end the series with a game to play.

IND vs WI HEAD-TO-HEAD

Overall

Matches – 143, India – 73, West Indies – 64, Draw – 2, N/R – 4

in India

Matches – 62, India – 33, West Indies – 28, Draw – 1, N/R – 0

IND vs WI: PITCH & CONDITIONS

The match in Guwahati is expected to be another high-scoring affair, with an average ODI score at the venue of 348. In 2023, Virat Kohli scored a century against Sri Lanka as India posted a massive 373 for seven. Conditions could again make life difficult for the bowlers.

There is no threat of significant rain in Guwahati, though occasional clouds are expected. Temperatures will likely stay in the low to mid 30s.

IND vs WI Predicted XI

India predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Naman Dhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.

West Indies predicted XI: John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c) (wk), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales

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