Kingston: Under fire Indian batsmen will look to make amends for their startling collapse in the previous match and complete the series win when they take on West Indies in the fifth and final ODI here Thursday.
The series appeared done and dusted when India began a modest 190-run chase but their intimidating batting line-up fell short by 11 runs in a stunning turnaround on a slow pitch.
Of all the batsmen, former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni drew the maximum flak for his slow batting as he played 70 dot balls in his 54-run knock off 114 balls. He failed to clear the boundary ropes in his first attempt at a big shot, yet again raising questions if he is the same old force as a finisher.
Ravindra Jadeja too played an atrocious shot, resulting in his dismissal, which exposed India’s tail to the crunch situation.
The top order, led by Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane, who has hit four half centuries in a row, has done the bulk of scoring and India would need the two batsmen to continue in the same vein.
It won’t be a surprise if captain Virat Kohli, who minced no words in criticising his team’s shot selection, brings about changes in the middle-order. “To be frank, we played atrocious shots,” Kohli told reporters after India’s loss.
Dinesh Karthik, who played his first international match for India in more than three years in the fourth ODI, could not make any impact on his comeback but the team management is unlikely to drop him after just one failure. However, veteran Yuvraj Singh may come in place of Kedar Jadhav who have lacked in consistency.
The surprise win would have certainly boosted the confidence of the West Indies and they will strive even harder for a series-levelling win.
However, it will be easier said than done since Indian players would be like wounded tigers after enduring an embarrassing defeat. Also the West Indies batsmen during the entire series have not been able to post really a descent total against India. It is their bowlers who have kept them in the thick of things.
But skipper Jason Holder was quick to point out that their confidence has skyrocketed after the win in the fourth ODI. “To win a game against India is always creditable,” Holder said Tuesday. “Now they will be under pressure as they have a reputation to maintain. We on the other hand have nothing to lose,” he added.
Press Trust of India