Guwahati: The batting firepower is undeniably India’s biggest strength but an unsettled pace-bowling combination would be a concern when the hosts look to seal the three-match ODI series against the West Indies in the second game, here on Wednesday.
For the fans, the spotlight will once again be on Virat Kohli, who rolled back the years with a record-breaking century in the series-opener in Thiruvananthapuram, while skipper Shubman Gill also struck a hundred as India chased down 296 in under 42 overs.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also bowled an incisive spell to underline his importance in the attack, but the pace department looked less convincing in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, while Mohammed Siraj was left out to try Nitish Kumar Reddy with the new ball in a dress rehearsal for the ODI World Cup next year.
In the first match, Virat Kohli blasted an unbeaten 139 off just 88 balls, smashing 9 sixes and cross the historic 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket. Alongside skipper Shubman Gill (110), the veteran batter looks fully locked into a purple patch as India shapes its plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
With ace quick Jasprit Bumrah rested, India’s secondary pace depth is under scrutiny. The visitors got off to a flying 135-run opening stand in the first game, exposing early struggles from frontline fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and debutant Gurnoor Brar. The management faces a puzzle: stick with the current line-up or rotate the experienced Mohammed Siraj back into the playing XI to tighten the powerplay execution.
For Shai Hope’s men, the Guwahati clash is a do-or-die affair. Despite centuries from Justine Greaves (101) and a resilient 58 from Amir Jangoo, the Windies’ bowling attack was brutally dismantled by India’s top order. They must significantly elevate their bowling variations to keep the series alive.
