India eye bowling improvement as West Indies await in 3rd ODI

India’s under-fire bowling attack faces another test against the West Indies in the third ODI after two high-scoring matches. With the hosts leading 2-0, attention will focus on their pace options, Ravindra Jadeja and back-up bowlers ahead of Saturday’s finale

New Chandigarh: India’s under-fire bowling unit faces a stern test of redemption when it takes on the West Indies in the third and final ODI at the New PCA Stadium on Saturday.

Although the hosts hold an unassailable 2-0 lead, making Saturday’s game a dead rubber, the narrative surrounding the series has been dominated by excessively batter-friendly pitches in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati, where a whopping 811 runs were scored. It prompted India head coach Gautam Gambhir to publicly call for a more even contest between bat and ball.

---

While the top-order batters have flourished, India’s new-ball bowling attack has floundered, picking up just one wicket in the opening 10 overs of the first two matches while conceding 177 runs during the mandatory powerplay.

Veteran left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is also under increasing pressure to deliver with the ball, especially with the ODI World Cup now exactly a year away.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has lacked support in the middle overs, putting the spotlight firmly on Jadeja, who has managed to take only three wickets in his last eight ODI appearances.

In stark contrast, captain Shubman Gill has dominated with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 223, the second double century of his ODI career, to spearhead a record-breaking chase of 406 after scoring a dazzling century in Thiruvananthapuram. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have also dazzled, and India will hope the duo, along with local lad Gill, shines once more.

India’s bowling combination for Saturday’s clash presents further complications. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out with a left hamstring injury, with uncapped Anshul Kamboj drafted into the squad as his replacement.

Pacer Mohammed Siraj could return to the XI after sitting out the first two matches. However, Siraj has struggled for rhythm since the Test tour of Sri Lanka and took just one wicket from 41 overs in the Duleep Trophy final last month.

With Jasprit Bumrah rested and the likes of Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi still new to the national team set-up, Saturday’s match offers a crucial testing ground for India’s back-up bowling options.

For the West Indies, despite losing the series, opener John Campbell and captain Shai Hope have provided solid platforms. The visitors, who may still be without Justin Greaves due to a calf injury sustained while scoring 101 in Thiruvananthapuram, will rely on middle-order power-hitters Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase and Keemo Paul to convert those starts as they look to avoid a 3-0 series defeat.

Key Details:

When: Saturday, October 3, 2 pm IST

Where: New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh

Where to watch: The match will be shown live on Star Sports Network channels and streamed on the JioHotstar app and website.

Squads:

India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vc & wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir and Anshul Kamboj.

West Indies: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (captain & wk), Amir Jangoo, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Shamar Joseph and Vitel Lawes.