Disconsolate WI face uphill challenge against India
India will aim to continue their winning streak and inch a step closer to a spot in the semi-finals as they face the West Indies in their sixth match of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Old Trafford in Manchester today.
West Indies come into this match after a heartbreaking five-run loss to New Zealand – a game that seemed all but over before Carlos Brathwaite almost produced an unimaginable result.
Such has been the story of the Jason Holder-led side in this tournament so far, as the little flashes of brilliance at different points haven’t been enough to produce the desired results.
With mathematical permutations still giving them an outside chance for a semi-final berth, the West Indies will aim to pull off a complete performance against an in-form Indian side.
The Indian bowlers once again
proved their match-winning capabilities as they successfully defended a below-par score against Afghanistan on Saturday.
Mohammed Shami, who picked up a hat-trick in Southampton, is likely to retain his place in the playing XI as India are unlikely to risk playing Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
The Indian middle-order will look
to add more stability to the batting and bat deep into the innings to give bowlers enough runs in the bank.
Teams batting first have won each of the three matches played at Old Trafford in this tournament so far.
THE SQUADS
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, M. S. Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav.
West Indies: Jason Holder (Captain), Chris Gayle, Kemar Roach, Darren Bravo, Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shannon Gabriel, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas and Nicholas Pooran.
(ICC)