Eager to level the series, visitors from the West Indies will once again square off against India in the second ODI tomorrow, September 27, at 2 PM at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
India enter the second ODI with a 1-0 series lead following a strong eight-wicket victory in the first match in Thiruvananthapuram. All eyes are on Virat Kohli, who stole the show with a spectacular unbeaten 139 off 88 balls to break the 15,000 ODI run barrier, while skipper Shubman Gill led the chase with a flawless century. In the bowling department, Kuldeep Yadav remains the major engine in the middle overs, as seen by his match-winning 4/40 in the opening game. Aided by ace-experienced figures like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul alongside bowling backup from Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj, India will aim to deliver another clinical performance in Guwahati to wrap up the three-match series with a game to spare. The pitch at Guwahati will once again seem to be a true batting paradise with true bounce and a lightning-fast outfield.
West Indies enter this must-win match hoping to recover swiftly after their bowling team struggled to defend 295 runs in the series opener. Captain Shai Hope‘s team showed signs of batting depth, with excellent contributions from top-order batsman John Campbell and a lower-middle-order century from Justin Greaves, demonstrating that they can achieve competitive totals. However, crucial pace alternatives like Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales will need to tighten their lines and make early breakthroughs to prevent India’s top order from dictating terms. To even the series, West Indies will rely largely on Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase’s disciplined middle-overs bowling, as well as tighter fielding performances.
Head-to-Head:
India and West Indies have a humongous rivalry when it comes to ODI cricket. The two nations have squared off against each other in 143 matches, out of which India have won 73, while WI have won 64. There have been two ties, and four have been ended without a ball being played.
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