Predicting India’s Playing XI for 3rd ODI against West Indies

Team India will have to win the final ODI against West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy if they want to win the three-game ODI series. They won the first ODI by five wickets but suffered a humbling defeat by six wickets in the second one. As such, there are significant changes expected in the third and final ODI which will also be the team’s final ODI before they start their Asia Cup ODI 2023 campaign.

1. Openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill 

Rohit Sharma (c) – Rohit Sharma was rested for the second ODI and played in the middle order in the first ODI to allow newer faces to get their chances. However, things should be different in the final ODI because this is their last dance before the crucial Asia Cup. They need to ensure all guns are firing well before they step into a crucial 50-over tournament.

Shubman Gill – Shubman Gill has been disappointing on the tour so far. He disappointed in the Tests and that continued in the first ODI as well. However, the second ODI was an improvement from the earlier games. He looked solid in his knock of 34 off 49. The same needs to continue if he wants to play an important part in the Asia Cup and the World Cup.

2. Middle Order – Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan

Virat Kohli – Similar to Rohit Sharma, Kohli was also rested in the second ODI and he did not bat in the first. He needs to make sure he’s playing like his usual self in the final ODI before the Asia Cup. Again, this is just to ensure India has all guns firing perfectly. 

Suryakumar Yadav – The remaining middle-order slot could go to Suryakumar Yadav. In all fairness, Sanju Samson has been worse. Moreover, Surya will play an important role in the upcoming T20I series following the ODIs. He should be given his customary competitive atmosphere in the final ODI as well. 

Ishan Kishan (wk)– Ishan Kishan has been a rare bright spark for India in the tour. While the regular performers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja have played their natural game, Kishan has really batted well and done decently behind the stumps. He’s making a strong case for an elongated spell with the team.

3. Allrounders – Hardik Pandya (vc), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja

Hardik Pandya (VC) – Hardik Pandya has not been impressive at all. But the truth is his pace bowling comes in handy and at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium at Trinidad, pacers will come in handy. Therefore, Pandya will continue to retain his place but needs to significantly improve his batting with the crucial five-match T20Is upcoming. 

Shardul Thakur – Thakur was India’s brightest spark in bowling for the second ODI in Barbados. He took three wickets against the run of play on a day when spinners were getting all the help. He would be the valuable second pace-bowling allrounder.  

Ravindra Jadeja – It is hard to keep this man out. He wreaked havoc on the West Indies batting in the first ODI but had a surprisingly quiet outing in the second ODI. But, his handy batting and expert left-arm spin can turn games around in an instant. Jadeja must get back to his groove.

4. Bowlers – Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar

Kuldeep Yadav – Kuldeep Yadav would be the second spinner. He did scalp a wicket in the second ODI after dropping a ‘Man of the Match’ performance in the first one. He definitely retains his place and the hope would be that the spin duo can produce some magic as they did in the first ODI.

Jaydev Unadkat – Enough of Umran Malik, the young pacer still has a long way to go. The raw pace gets you nowhere if you don’t control your line and length. Malik has only been leaking runs with no breakthroughs. It’s time to change things up and give Jaydev Unadkat his chance in the ODIs. 

Mukesh Kumar – The final name should be Mukesh Kumar. He has bowled well and picked up a wicket or two once in a while. Most importantly, he has been pretty economical and has not leaked excessive runs like Umran Malik.