India will go for a clean sweep, not much change in batting

The Indian team, which has already won the series, will take to the field with an aim to clean sweep the third and final ODI against West Indies in the third and final one-day international here on Wednesday.

India on Sunday created a new world record by winning the 12th consecutive series in the ODI format against the West Indies. This is the best performance of a team against a single opponent.

Indian coach Rahul Dravid may try some new players in this match but he will focus on maintaining team balance to maintain the winning momentum. Ruturaj Gaikwad is unlikely to get priority over Shubman Gill in the batting department. Gill played two useful innings of 64 and 43 in the last two matches.

Gaikwad got a chance to play the entire series against South Africa where he struggled against the fast bowlers. Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson also scored half-centuries in the previous match while Suryakumar Yadav may be given another chance despite the failure in the first two matches. In such a situation, Ishaan Kishan will have to sit outside.

Ravindra Jadeja was named vice-captain for this series along with Shikhar Dhawan and was the first choice as an all-rounder but missed the first two matches due to a knee injury.

It is also not sure whether Jadeja will be available to play in the third match as Axar Patel scored an unbeaten 64 in the second match in his absence. The team management cannot ignore Patel’s performance. If Dhawan plans to field two left-arm spinners, then Yuzvendra Chahal may have to sit out.

But this can lead to a lack of diversity in the Indian bowling. Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh suffered a thigh muscle problem during the one-dayers in England but is now fit and being a left-arm pacer, he could be replaced by Avesh Khan.

Avesh had conceded 54 runs in six overs in the second ODI and did not get any wicket. Avesh and the famous Krishna have one-of-a-kind bowling styles and only one of them can be included in the playing XI.

As far as West Indies are concerned, they have the potential but they have failed to deliver their best. He has so far relied on Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell or Romerio Shepherd.

The most important thing is that the team has not done well on crucial occasions so far. In the last match of the series, West Indies may include Jason Holder in the playing XI.

West Indies will be aiming to break their losing streak in the ODIs as they suffered a 0-3 loss to Bangladesh earlier.

Squad: West Indies: Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Shai Hope (Vice-Captain), Shamar Brooks, Kesey Carty, Jason Holder, Akil Hossein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Meyers, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Jaden Seals , Hayden Walsh.

India: Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Pranand Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Arshdeep Singh. The match will start at 7:00 pm Indian time.