India vs West Indies: Top five Indian players to watch out for
India face West Indies in a five-ODI and one-T20I series starting on Friday. A look at the top five Indian players who could make the difference.
Virat Kohli-led India, after the shock defeat to Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, would hope to recover quickly as they face West Indies in a five-ODI and an one-T20I series starting on Friday.
A look at the top five Indian players who could make the difference.
Shikhar Dhawan
With the staggering form the southpaw is in at the moment, Shikhar Dhawan will be key to India’s success in the Caribbean. The batsman was the highest run-getter in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy as well and had a great run in the Indian Premier League.
Virat Kohli
Although the Indian skipper had been suffering from a lean patch since the Australian series, he played to his credentials in the ICC Champions Trophy and was a vital cog in the top-order with three half-centuries to his name. With the in-form Rohit Sharma not a part of the squad, a lot will depend on him and Dhawan up the order to provide their side brilliant platforms.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
In conditions that suit fast bowling, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to play an important role for his side being the main strike bowler. He had been part of two Tests the last time India toured West Indies and had taken six wickets. Also, he’s in a decent form of late and can be relied upon with the new ball.
Mohammad Shami
Although he did not feature in a single game of the Champions Trophy, it shouldn’t stay that way for the Bengal pacer who was the side’s highest wicket-taker when they toured West Indies in 2016. With his ability to swing the ball both ways as Kumar, the two might form a lethal combination for Virat Kohli.
Hardik Pandya
He’s already proved himself as a vital all-rounder for his side and might come handy in the Caribbean conditions where the ball comes on to the bat quickly and has something for bowlers like him. He can bat lower down the order and also provide vital breakthroughs in between and is in good form since the Indian Premier League.
