The second ODI between India and West Indies was an absolute belter of a game of cricket so the hopes are high when the two sides meet in the third match of the series in Pune on Saturday, with the spoils very much up for grabs.
West Indies’ failure to get over the line in Visak means that India go into this third match with a 1-0 lead in the five match series so there is everything to play for in Pune. India will secure a share of it with a win while West Indies will set up two fascinating matches if they come out on top.
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India
Given that conditions heavily went against them in the last match, India will be delighted to have come out with an unlikely tie and at the same time they will be disappointed that they were in that position in the first place having put up what looked to be a decent total. That has opened up a few doubts about their ability to defend a score for the remainder of the series.
The big issue that India had going into the series was whether their middle order would be able to take platforms on should the top three not go on and create something substantial and we didn’t see anything to suggest they can in the previous match. So many of these matches are won by finishers these days and you wonder whether India are equipped in that department.
West Indies
Total credit goes to the West Indies for their part in that cracking contest in Visak especially after not really offering much in the second innings of the match in Guwahati to open up the series. In both matches we have seen signs of a really bright West Indies future with the bat. If they can now find some form and some consistency with the ball then who knows what they can achieve going forward.
You get the feeling that their success or otherwise in this series will largely be down to their bowlers. They would have won in Visak but for a lack of experience and winning form. If they do win soon it would not be the biggest surprise in the world if they follow one win up with a combination of them given the talent their have within their youngsters on show here.
Team News
India have seen enough from their second string bowlers and have recalled the cavalry for the rest of the series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have seen their rest come to an end and both could well come in. Mohammad Shami will make way with Umesh Yadav also likely to be left out.
I would be surprised if West Indies are in a hurry to make changes for this match. They looked to have the right combinations with the bat and the ball. They just need to hold their nerve better but no team changes will help them with that.
MCA Stadium
There have only been three previous ODIs on this ground with India successful in two of them and then losing the other one. This will be the first time that West Indies have played out on this ground in this format of the game and their first match of any kind here.
Two of the three first innings scores here have been 300+. Last January England failed to defend 350 on this ground so we can expect the scoring to be good once again on what is usually a decent wicket for batting and not the biggest ground in the land.
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Betting
We’ve seen the West Indies contribute strongly with the bat in both matches in this series and although India are bringing some heavy hitters back in the bowling department I don’t see the tourists suddenly slowing right up. One of the reasons why they can bat with a bit of freedom is the depth they carry.
We know all about the quality in the Indian line up and there should be so much more to come from the likes of MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant so I am expecting to see a number of sixes in this match. There is a line at 11.5 for this one which will have been safely covered in both matches thus far and in previous matches on this ground so I’m happy to get on the over for this third game.
Tips
WON – Back Over 11.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.78 with BetVictor
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