India is going to face West Indies in a four-match ODI series starting from 26 June in West Indies. The ODI series will be very important for both sides ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2009 which will take place in South Africa in September. India might have failed to reach the semi final of twenty20 world cup 2009, but team India’s recent form in ODI has been pretty much impressive as Dhoni’s men won both of their last two ODI series in New Zealand and Sri Lanka before winning the home series against England towards the end of the last year.
Recent form of West Indies has been mixed. Their recent ODI results include a 2-1 loss in New Zealand, followed by a 2-3 defeat at the hands of England at home. No doubt, West Indies cricket fans are now looking for a revival in their ODI form ahead of the Champions Trophy. West Indies cricketers can take inspiration from their in-form captain Chris Gayle who has been in dominant form recently. In fact, West Indies was impressive in the Twenty20 World Cup as they reached the semi final of the tournament.
India fared very poorly in the twenty20 world cup even though they started as favorite as the defending champion. Naturally, Indian cricket fans are now very much disappointed and it is a big chance for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team to bring back the fans’ faith on them by winning the ODI series against West Indies.
India is missing a number of star players in the series due to injury reasons. First of all, opener Virender Sehwag is recovering from a shoulder injury, while Tendulkar has been rested in order to ensure the master blaster gets fit before Champions Trophy 2009. Raina has picked up a hairline fracture, and thus, being ruled out of the West Indies tour. Zaheer Khan is also missing the tournament due to injury.
Abhishek Nayar, who was impressive in IPL, has been called for the first time by the national selectors. It is pretty much certain that the all rounder would get his debut in the four match ODI series against West Indies. Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay has already played 1 test match, but is yet to get his ODI debut for Indian national team. In the absence of Sehwag, I think, there is every possibility Vijay could get his ODI debut in the series.
West Indies has a very good squad as well in the presence of some in-from players like Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo and some others. Selectors announced the squad for the first two ODI matches and the only uncapped player in the squad is left-handed batsman Darren Bravo who is the younger brother of Dwayne Bravo. It is pretty much certain that India will face some strong challenge from West Indies who will have home advantage in the series. So, I think, cricket fans of both sides are going to experience a competitive series. Here, I am giving the schedule of the ODI series between India and West Indies:
