India, enjoying a commanding 2-0 advantage following consecutive wins, including an unprecedented chase of 406 in the second ODI at Guwahati, approaches the third and final match at Mullanpur, hoping to whitewash the visitors.
For the hosts, the match acts as a chance to achieve a clean sweep while refining their bowling depth and evaluating middle-order combinations in challenging situations. West Indies, while showcasing their significant batting strength by posting 405/7 in the last game, need to quickly rectify fundamental weaknesses in their bowling performance to avert another full-scale top-order attack from India.
India’s batting order is filled with assurance, spearheaded by captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, who posted an enormous 255-run opening partnership in Guwahati. Nevertheless, the management might consider testing lower-middle-order batters such as KL Rahul and Naman Dhir, who were not required in the high-scoring second match. India’s main worry is their frontline pace attack; with minimal seam movement, the seamers were costly during the powerplay and final overs. India’s main worry is their frontline pace attack; in conditions with little seam movement, the seamers were costly during the powerplay and at the death. Anticipate that India will rely significantly on wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja to exert control during the middle overs while assigning the pace attack with the responsibility of securing early breakthroughs to unsettle the opposing power hitters.
West Indies approach the series finale determined to prevent a 3-0 sweep and transform their impressive batting ability into a victory. Becoming just the sixth team in ODI history to include three centurions in one innings (John Campbell, Shai Hope, and Amir Jangoo), their top and middle order have demonstrated they can manage spin and pace with equal strength. The primary issue for the visitors is their bowling unit, as speedsters Alzarri Joseph and Keemo Paul have faltered with their line and length on even pitches. For the 3rd ODI, West Indies need much more discipline from their seamers at the start and enhanced variation from spinners Roston Chase and Vitel Lawes to reduce India’s runrate.
Head-to-Head:
Both teams have squared off against each other in 144 matches, out of which India have won 74, while WI have won 64. There have been two ties, and four have been ended without a ball being played.
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