CRICKET
3rd ODI Predictions: India vs West Indies
India will lock horns with West Indies in the third match of the ODI series today in Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain in Trinidad.
India is already 2-0 up in the series.
The Indian batting has clicked, with the exception of Suryakumar Yadav.
In the opening game, the visitors posted a solid total of 308 runs, with skipper Dhawan leading from the front with a fine knock of 97 runs.
In the 2nd ODI, Team India chased a mammoth total of 312 runs, thanks to all-rounder Axar Patel’s magnificent 64 off just 35 balls!
Team analysis
The biggest problem for India has been the bowling unit which has conceded 300-plus runs in both the T20Is.
Pacer Avesh Khan was given a chance in the second ODI but the decision didn’t go down well.
Avesh failed to pick up a single wicket and was smashed for 54 runs in just six overs.
Eventually, West Indies posted a mammoth total of 311 in 50 overs.
India coach Rahul Dravid will probably tinker with the bowling set up.
As a result, pacer Arshdeep Singh could make his ODI debut in the final match of the series.
The return of Ravindra Jadeja and Ishan Kishan into the side is also a possibility.
Navdeep Saini could be given a game at the expense of Siraj.
West Indies will most likely, play with the same team as their batting and bowling has performed decently in both the matches.
IND vs WI Match Details
Match: IND vs WI – 3rd ODI
Date & Time: July 27, 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Port-of-Spain
Weather prediction
Showers are expected in the morning till 2PM in the afternoon but is likely to get clear after that with no signs of rain.
A highest temperature of 30 degrees Celsius is expected.
Minimum temperature will be 25 degrees.
Head to Head Record
Both teams have faced each other 138 times in ODIs.
West Indies have won 63 times while India have won 69 times.
Pitch Report
The third match will also be played in Port-of-Spain in Trinidad.
The two ODI matches played earlier have been high-scoring ones.
In the second ODI, India chased 312 and the pitch stayed good till the end.
Hence, teams will look to chase after the winning toss.
In fact, the pitch is likely to get slower as the match progresses.
A minimum total of 270-280 is likely for the team batting first.
India Likely 11
Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj/Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
West Indies Likely 11
Shai Hope (wk), Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (c), Rovman Powell, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Hayden Walsh.
Likely Top performers
Alzarri Joseph has picked 82 wickets in 51 matches. He has been in great form in the series and will be the highest wicket-taker for West Indies.
Shai Hope could go on to score the most runs for West Indies in the 3rd ODI. He has an impressive record with 4193 runs in 100 matches.
Shikhar Dhawan smashed 97 runs in the 1st ODI. Shikhar Dhawan has gone on to score 6435 runs in 154 matches and has a great record against the Windies. He is likely to be India’s top run-getter.
Mohammed Siraj has gone on to pick nine wickets in seven matches. If he plays in the 3rd ODI, Siraj is likely to be the top wicket-taker for India.
Who will win
Team India has managed to win both matches even after facing tough situations.
Though the bowling has been inconsistent, they found a way to win.
This proves the team’s winning mentality.
Hence, we expect a tough contest once again yet India will emerge winners.
CRICKET
BCCI Faces Tough Calls on Future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Future of Kohli and Rohit Under Scrutiny
India’s humiliating Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss, part of a dismal streak with six defeats in eight matches, has ignited intense debates. The most pressing concern is the future of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The BCCI is expected to discuss the issue during its Special General Meeting on Sunday. New board secretary Devajit Saikia has reportedly been asked to deliver a “strict message” to chief selector Ajit Agarkar about solving this dilemma. The board has emphasized the need to “choose a new team” to restore India’s cricketing credibility.
Underwhelming Performances in Australia
Both Kohli and Rohit were under pressure even before the Australia tour. Kohli showed a glimpse of his old form with a century in Perth but managed just 90 more runs across other innings without a single fifty.
Rohit, on the other hand, had a disastrous series, scoring only 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.2. He opted out of the Sydney decider, citing personal reasons. Since September, Rohit has scored just 164 runs in eight matches at an average slightly above 10.
BCCI Official’s Strong Stand
A former BCCI official, speaking to Dainik Jagran, stressed that the board must take a firm stance. He suggested that no player should consider themselves indispensable.
“The BCCI must send a strong message that no player is bigger than the game. The selection committee must act decisively and build a new team,” the official remarked.
Looking Ahead
With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching and a provisional squad submission deadline of January 12, the BCCI faces mounting pressure. India’s next Test series is scheduled for late June, during their tour of England, making this the perfect time for a strategic reset. The decisions made now could shape the team’s future trajectory.
BIG NEWS
Jasprit Bumrah’s Heroics in Border-Gavaskar Series Spark Workload Debate
Jasprit Bumrah Shines in Border-Gavaskar Series
Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional performance in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar series stood out, despite India’s overall disappointing campaign. With 32 wickets in five matches, including three five-wicket hauls, he claimed the Player of the Series award. This marked the highest wickets taken by an Indian bowler in Australia and an all-time best for an Indian seamer in a Test series.
However, Bumrah’s heroic efforts came at a cost. He missed the final innings of the Sydney Test due to a back injury. Having bowled 151.2 overs across the series, including 53.2 overs in one match, concerns about his workload surfaced. Discussions followed regarding whether India’s team management could have handled Bumrah better.
Balwinder Sandhu Criticizes Workload Concerns
Former Indian pacer Balwinder Sandhu dismissed the workload management theory, calling it unnecessary. He argued that bowling 15 to 20 overs per innings should not be an issue for professional cricketers.
“Bumrah bowled an average of 16 overs per innings. That’s not a big deal,” Sandhu told Times of India. “Workload management is an Australian concept. Cricketers need to listen to their bodies, not external theories.”
Sandhu questioned whether Bumrah is fit for Test cricket if he cannot consistently bowl 20 overs in an innings. “If you can’t bowl 20 overs, focus on T20s, where four overs are enough. Representing India in Tests requires physical strength and stamina,” he added.
The debate underscores the growing divide in modern cricket regarding balancing player fitness with team needs. For Bumrah, his outstanding series may be remembered for both its brilliance and the challenges it posed.
CRICKET
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Under Scrutiny Amid India’s Struggles in Australia
Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar have criticized the superstar culture in Indian cricket. They pointed out the lack of commitment to domestic cricket, particularly in light of India’s poor performance in Australia. The and focus of their criticism was aimed at senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who both had disappointing tours.
Kohli managed only 190 runs in eight innings, with a disappointing average of 23.75. His struggle against deliveries outside the off stump was a key issue. He was dismissed seven out of eight times by deliveries in that area, with Scott Boland being his main tormentor.
Rohit Sharma’s performance was equally poor, with just 31 runs in five innings. His dismal form led to him opting out of the fifth Test. This led to widespread speculation about their future in Test cricket.
Despite the poor form, reports suggest that neither Kohli nor Rohit is expected to retire voluntarily. A source within the BCCI mentioned that the team is undergoing a phase of introspection. However, they are unlikely to ask the two players to retire. The selectors will have to make the final decision on their future.
The BCCI office bearers, including Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Bhatia, discussed the issues with Kohli’s technique. It’s evident that both players’ future in Test cricket will depend on their form in the upcoming months.
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