This one dayer series has been very entertaining for cricket fans in India. We have seen Virat Kolhi not scoring in the first two one-dayers and then performing very well in the third ODI.
At first people wondered if Kieron Pollard would stand up as captain for the West Indies team. He led from the front, showing great maturity in pressure situations, and took on responsibility as a captain and batsmen in the third one-dayer.
The West Indies have a fine team but it was the bowling that let them down in their bid to stop India scoring in the final ten overs of each match. They desperately need to find a front line spinner. The West Indies bowling attack is one-dimensional and relies heavily on seam and fast bowlers. If the fast bowlers don't take any wickets then they rely on medium pacers who bowl cutters and slower balls.
India must be happy that their opening batsmen have found form. With an opening partnership of 220+ in the second ODI, both Rohit Shamra and KL Rahul scored centuries. The Indian coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli must feel delighted with the batsmen coming to form. As an all round team they seem to have got more out of the series than West Indies. India were able to post a decent total in the second one-dayer and then chase a target of 300+ in the third one-dayer. This Indian team has the ability to set and chase targets. I think West Indies are able to set targets and their batsmen can keep them in the game, but it is the bowling that is letting them down.
Sheldon Cottrel has become a millionaire overnight in the IPL auction but his bowling was'nt as effective in the recent one-dayers as everyone hoped.
This West Indies team has the potential to upset a few teams in the T20 World Cup in Australia. With a large number of West Indies players playing in the IPL you would expect more from them.
The IPL auction was good for the English team. This was because Eoin Morgan got picked up by KKR. His leadership skills will be effective on subcontinent conditions and will prepare the England team well for the 2023 World Cup in India.
Tom Banton got into the IPL which was good to see especially if Eoin Morgan wants to add youngsters to the England team for the World Cup in four year's time. It is good that the English players are playing in the IPL because they can adapt their game to Indian conditions. The likes of Chris Jordan and Chris Woakes will be good for the English team. Chris Jordan is already playing in the Big Bash League and his experience will be vital for the T20 World Cup. His fielding is a great asset to the team and one of his catches in the recent BBL was a stunner!
