Ahmedabad, Feb 10: The returning Shikhar Dhawan will add more firepower to a ruthless India, who are faced with the problem of plenty, as they eye a clean sweep of West Indies in an inconsequential third ODI here on Friday.
Hosts India head into the final match of the series after having ticked almost all the boxes in the first two games, which they won comfortably.
Senior opener Dhawan was among the four players, including a reserve bowler, who had tested positive for COVID-19 just four days ahead of the start of the ODI leg.
But now that the southpaw is back, the Indian team could be forced to make few changes to its winning combination. In his absence, the team management opened with Ishan Kishan in the first game and the flamboyant Rishabh Pant in the second.
After his side’s 44-run win in the second game on Wednesday, India skipper Rohit Sharma made it clear that Dhawan will be back for the last match of the ODI series. “We will get Shikhar back for next game, and he needs some game time. It is not always the results. We wanted to try it one game,” Rohit had said.
This means that vice-captain KL Rahul would continue to bat in the middle-order along with former skipper Virat Kohli, whose search for his 71st international hundred continues.
Pant will go back to the middle-order alongside Suryakumar Yadav, who is likely to retain his place after emerging as the team’s highest scorer in the second match following a top-order collapse.
In all probability, all-rounder Deepak Hooda would have to make way for Dhawan in the playing XI.
It remains to be seen whether Shreyas Iyer, if available for selection, can make the playing XI or not.
With the series sealed, the Indian team management can afford to make a few changes and give opportunities to new players. So, either left-arm orthodox spinner Kuldeep Yadav or young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi could get a look-in. This means that either Yuzvendra Chahal or Washington Sundar could be rested.
Also, Madhya Pradesh pacer Avesh Khan has been waiting in the wings, and the team management might also give him a game.
With pacer Prasidh Krishna taking four wickets in an excellent second game and Shardul Thakur also among the wickets, it is highly unlikely that the duo would be dropped. So if Avesh is included, Mohammed Siraj would probably have to make way.
Meanwhile, the West Indies, who have already conceded the series, would be looking to regain some lost ground.
Their batters, including skipper Kieron Pollard and senior all-rounder Jason Holder, must put a prize on their wickets. Also the likes of Shai Hope, Brandon King and Nicolas Pooran, would be looking to get some runs.
On the bowling front, pacers Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph and Odean Smith hit the right length, but the role of spinners Fabian Allen and Akeal Hosein will also be crucial.
India
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Mayank Agarwal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (WK), Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Shahrukh Khan
West Indies
Kieron Pollard (C), Fabian Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Nicolas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Romario Shepard, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.
Match starts at 1.30 pm. (PTI)
