Virat Kohli, playing his 214th One-day International (ODI) won the toss and opted to bowl first in the third ODI against West Indies in Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Saturday.
Chasing 322 in the second ODI, the Windies managed to tie the match and which is why it was expected for the Indians to chase in today’s game.
A well-oiled India hammered the Windies in the series-opener in Guwahati by eight wickets, but the gritty visitors indeed, made a statement of sorts in Visakhapatnam, by denying the hosts a victory and a chance to go 2-0 ahead in the five-match rubber.
Virat Kohli went berserk in Vizag, yet again, as his 37th ODI hundred helped India post a total of 321 runs in 50 overs. However, a mediocre show from the Indian bowlers allowed the Windies to tie the match, which always looked in India’s favour until the likes of Shai Hope and Hetymer took the charge.
The absence of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah saw Indian bowling unit being clobbered for 320 plus runs in both games and which is why they have decided to bring the two for the third game in Pune.
With more variations in their repertoire in white ball cricket compared to the profilgate Umesh Yadav and an inconsistent Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah are expected to make a significant difference, especially in the first Powerplay and the death overs.
India also have issues to ponder over even as only 16 games are left before the World Cup in England next year -- the fragile middle-order and lack of consistency from the lower-middle order batsmen -- when they take field at the MCA International stadium.
Skipper Virat Kohli, who surpassed iconic Sachin Tendulkar to score fastest 10,000 runs, has always been the backbone of the team. His back to back hundreds (140 and 157 not out) is just a testimony to it. The skipper, who has scored 297 runs so far in the series, will be aiming for a big knock again.
Ambati Rayadu, whose 73 consolidated his claim No 4 spot and a good show on Saturday, will only help him make the position his own.
But questions remain on a stable numbers 5, 6 and 7.
Veteran MS Dhoni (20) again looked out of sorts in the second ODI and with his ability to finish innings on the wane, the stumper will be under immense pressure to perform.
Playing XI:
India: Virat Kohli ( c ) Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w), Rishabh Pant, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, K Khaleel Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal
West Indies: Jason Holder ( c ), Kieran Powell, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope(w), Marlon Samuels, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Fabian Allen, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Obed McCoy
