India v West Indies 2nd ODI Tips, Predictions and Preview – Windies bid to seal series

Dec 18, 2019

Contrasting centuries from Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer coasted the West Indies to an eight-wicket win over India at Chennai and they can close out the series with a win at Visakhapatnam in the second match on Wednesday.

India

The hosts suffered a top-order collapse in Chennai, as Virat Kohli picked up a rare low score against Windies. However, the comforting factor coming out of that match was the partnership between Shreyas Iyer (70) and Rishabh Pant (71). Especially with their ‘keeper scoring runs, India seem to have settled some unanswered queries.

However, the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal – for different reasons – left India with no wicket-taking bowlers in the middle overs. That remains a problematic area for India, with Shivam Dube and Kedar Jadhav not proving to be good enough to be the fifth bowlers.

West Indies

Kieron Pollard’s men were clinical in all three fields at Chennai to land an easy win. While their bowling led by Sheldon Cottrell (2 for 46) was all over the Indians, their batting took the cake. The target was never going to challenge the Windies, especially with the firepower they possess.

Shimron Hetmyer (139 off 106) played one of the best knocks played in India, while Shai Hope (102* off 151) played a perfect anchor role. It could once again play to the Windies’ advantage if Hope anchors and the other players rally around him.

Match Up

India struggled in Chennai largely because of their poor bowling. With an inability to be effective in the middle overs, India will be hardly pressed for coming up with an answer. There could be personnel changes, but India will also have to improve their fielding performances. Windies have got everything going for them in Chennai, as the players played their roles perfectly. With a chance to win the series at the first available option, the visitors will look to make it count with a repeat. What’s definitely on repeat is the avalanche of big hits.

History & Statistics

India have won nine of their last 12 completed ODIs.
Eight of India’s last 11 ODI results favoured the side batting first.
India have won five of their last six completed ODIs against West Indies.
West Indies have lost five of their last nine away ODIs.
West Indies have won their last four ODIs. The last time they have won more was in Mar – Apr 2010 when they won six in a row.
West Indies haven’t won a bilateral ODI series since October 2011.

Key Players

Kuldeep Yadav bowled better than his figures suggested at Chennai, but he still looked out of touch. His effectiveness still remains a thing of the past and unless he gets that back, his white-ball career might be under risk.

Shai Hope didn’t have to worry for the increasing run-rates, as Hetmyer made up for his slow scoring. However, if Hope can improve on that aspect too, Windies might run away with another win.