Defending champions India have thumped each of their three
oppositions so far in World Cup 2015. West Indies, in contrast, have swung back
and forth between thunderous wins and crashing defeats. Get live updates from
this Pool B match between two teams at WACA, Perth.
On paper as well as on the lush greens of WACA in Perth, the
Indian team will begin as the overwhelming favourite against West Indies. The
two teams face off in their Pool B match of ICC World Cup 2015 with different
objectives in mind - one looking to maintain momentum while the other seeking
to fend off competitors in the points table. A win, for both, is vital. Catch
all live cricket scores and live updates from the match: (Live Scorecard |
Points Table)
11:48 AM (IST):
Shane Warne thinks there would be extra bounce on the track, as expected but
interestingly he feels that the pitch might offer some turn as well. Good for
India and Ashwin then!
11:43 AM (IST):
Jason Holder said it looks like a good track and West Indies want to put the
runs on the board. Dhoni on the other hand isn't disappointed chasing because
he thinks the WACA track won't change much.
11:40 AM (IST):
West Indies XI - Dwayne Smith, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (WK),
Lendl Simmons, Jonathan Carter, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Jason Holder
(Capt), Kemar Roach, Jerom Taylor
11:35 AM (IST):
India's playing XI - Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane,
Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (Capt/wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Mohit
Sharma,Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav
11:30 AM (IST):
Toss time! West Indies have won the toss and Jason Holder opts to bat first.
One change each for both sides - Kemar Roach comes in for Suleiman Benn while
fit-again Md. Shami replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the Indian side.
11:25 AM (IST):
Here we go! Perth is all set for India's clash with West Indies. The toss is up
in a few moments. MS Dhoni-led India are on a roll and are unbeaten in the
World Cup so far. Can West Indies halt their march?
India have been sensational so far. Wins against Pakistan,
South Africa and UAE have been more and more comprehensive, and if the trend
continues, West Indies can have a long day on the field. The batting is firing
on all cylinders but what is heartening to fans - bleeding blue in the stands
by the thousands - is that bowling and fielding too has been quite electric.
Not known as the main strengths of the side, the performance on the field has
indeed added tooth to the thrust. (Also read: MS Dhoni pleased with India's
all-round dominance)
The thrust now has all the makings of becoming a thunder.
After all, India have played against West Indies extensively in the recent
past. Both teams know each other quite comprehensively, with India enjoying
bulk of the success.
Factoids:
India has a 4-3 advantage in World Cup duels against West
Indies.
India has won three of their last five ODIs. West Indies
have lost three of their last five ODIs.
West Indies have won 60 of their 115 overall ODIs against
India (52).
The last - and only time- India played West Indies in Perth,
the match ended tied. Both teams scored 126 (1991).
Expect eyes to be firmly on India's batting with Kohli
grabbing maximum eyeballs. While he has scored 186 from three matches so far,
he has made more headlines for his wagging tongue than his swinging blade.
Do not count West Indies out of the contest though. "We
have match winners and need to test India with fast bowling," legendary
Windies cricketer Brian Lara told NDTV on the eve of the match. "Gayle can
hit big on his day. He did in the match vs Zimbabwe and I am backing him to do
the same again."
While Lara may be confident of Gayle, recent statistics
don't evoke much confidence.
Factoids:
Gayle hasn't scored more than 50 in the last 10 ODIs vs
India.
Gayle's last century against India came in 2006.
Chris Gayle has hit 17 sixes in this tournament already; he
needs to hit two more to overtake Matthew Hayden (18 in 2007) for most sixes in
a Cricket World Cup.
Former India cricketer VVS Laxman believes using spin early
can go a long way in taming the Jamaican. "He would be under pressure
early on and it won't be a bad idea to bring on Ravichandran Ashwin,"
Laxman told NDTV.
Forgetting the likes of Darren Sammy and Jerome Taylor on a
quick WACA wicket can be a mistake too. Windies are banking on pace to carry
them forward with captain Jason Holder already saying that he has learnt a lot
from Dhoni and will use it against India.
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