After winning the first game by 3 points, another victory will give India a successive victory in the ODI series in the Caribbean.
Whether it’s the aggressive opening position of Dhawan and running back Shubman Gill, or the emergence of Mohammad Siraj as the leader of the bowling attack in the absence of the experienced Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, India ticked all the boxes on Friday to go up 1-0 in the three-game series.
First, it was Gill as a highly rated flyhalf, returning to the ODI fold after more than 19 months, seized the opportunity with both hands with a career-best 64.
Chosen ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, Gill made it easy to hit as most of them struggled after the ball got softer at Queen’s Park Oval.
Throughout his stroke, he scored on a run-a-ball and broke six bounds and some sixes, and it took a run to end his stay in the middle.
It’s up to Gill to convert his good starts into big hits, and he would certainly be looking to do just that and cement his place in the team.
Dhawan played perfect second fiddle to Gill as the opening stand was worth 119 out of 106, but the senior hitter narrowly missed his 18th century.
With Shreyas Iyer also finding some form with half a century, it was a perfect top-three act for the Indian side, but a mid-order slump followed and India settled for 308 for seven after being able to go beyond 350.
In the middle order, the spotlight would be on Sanju Samson, the hitter, as he failed to capitalize on the opportunity at this level yet again, returning with a 12-18 ball.
The Kerala stumper, however, made up for his lack of points with a superb death-limit save, which was instrumental in India securing a last-ball victory with Mohammed Siraj defending 15 points.
On Sunday, the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Samson, Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel would like to deliver.
Dhawan created an upset in the absence of injured Ravindra Jadeja, bowling part-time spinner Deepak Hooda past specialist Yuzvendra Chahal in the first 20 overs.
Chahar returned without a wicket but he was the most economical bowler (4.40) of the day for the Indians, finishing with 0/22 of his five overs and forcing West Indies to catch up.
Siraj stood out as the pace spearhead brushed off Nicholas Pooraj in the middle of the overs and came back in the death with his perfect yorkers.
India
With the series on the line, West Indies would be looking to end their ODI losing streak which has now stretched to seven matches, including a 0-3 loss to Bangladesh in the previous match.
The series is not part of the ICC World Cup Super League and the West Indies have the opportunity to play without the pressure of the rankings.
The last time India visited the West Indies for an ODI series, the Men in Blue emerged 2-0 winners, with one game canceled due to rain.
The ODI series will be followed by a five-game T20I series, featuring an almost complete Indian squad.
Then here is India vs West Indies 2nd ODI TV news like TV channel, IST time and live streaming platform.
Broadcast Info
Match date: Sunday July 24
Match Time: 7:00 PM IST
Live Stream: DD Sports
Live stream: FanCode.
