India vs West Indies 2nd ODI 2009: Preview, Live Score

After winning high scoring first match, India is now looking to extend their lead to 2-0 by winning the second ODI over host West Indies tomorrow (28 June 2009) at the Sabina Park, Kingston in Jamaica. The home side must win tomorrow if they really want to win the four-match series. Another victory for India would ensure that they will not lose the series. So, it is pretty much certain that both teams will try their best to win the match.

Match: West Indies vs India, Second ODI, Four-Match ODI Series

Date: 28 June 2009

Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Kick off: 14:30 GMT (09:30 Local Time)

India might have won the first match by a 20-run margin, but Indian players showed some complacency after picking up 7 wickets within 40 overs, while defending a 339 run total. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also admitted the fact and warned his teammates to not repeat such complacency in future.

The Hindu reported:

Dhoni also admitted they had to toil hard to defend their mammoth 340-run target because his teammates got complacent after removing the top-order of the West Indies.

"Most of the guys thought that we have won the game when they were seven wicket down but it was a mistake and hopefully we won't repeat that. It was more close than thought," he said.

Following a poor show in the twenty20 world cup, Dhoni is feeling some perhaps for the first time. Moreover, the team is missing some of the key players like Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan. So, the experienced players need to step up to take some extra responsibility.

Yuvraj Singh played a fiery innings of 131 off 102 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and 7 over-boundaries. It is really good news for the visitors. In the absence of Sehwag, Tendulkar and Raina, Indian batting line has lost some of its strength, but it was not exposed due to excellent batting by Dinesh Karthik, Yuvraj as well as some effective contribution from Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan. Gautam Gambhir has not been in good form lately. Naturally, Yuvraj and Dhoni would have to take some extra responsibility. Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina are still pretty young and it is a great chance for them to prove their skill and cement a place in the squad.

Ashis Nehra was successful to some extent and made a good come back to the ODI team picking up 3 wickets, while Ishant and RP Singh were not successful in the first game. Still, I do not think India would bring out any chance in its pace attack. Spin attack will remain same too in the presence of Harbhajan Singh, Yusuf Pathan and Jadeja.

West Indies showed their batting depth in the first match as they remained in the match till the end, despite loosing wickets pretty much regularly. In the top order, Gayle, Morton, Sarwan and Chanderpaul all got runs, while Taylor, Ramdin and Bernard showed they were capable of contributing significantly. Bravo brothers failed with bat, but they might come back in the second match. West Indies is sorely missing injured pacer Fidel Edwards. Ravi Rampaul might come back in place of Baker. Jerome Taylor and Suleiman Benn would lead their pace and spin attack respectively and would have to deliver at their top in order to restrict the Indian batsmen.

Online Live Score and Updates

You can get the live score and updates of the match from Cricinfo, Cricket Buzz, Cricket Next and some other cricket related websites.

Well, I am not interested to pick up any favorite in the match, given the performance of the two teams in the first ODI. Now, ahead of the second ODI, India must be aware of complacency, while West Indies must know their mistakes from the first match and how to avoid those mistakes. So, we can hope for a highly competitive match in the second ODI.