Monday, June 13, 2011

Ind Vs WI: India Plays For Clean Sweep, Windies For Pride

An unbeatable 3-0 lead in hand, India would now aim for a cleansweep while trying out new players when they take on a demoralised West Indies in the inconsequential fourth game of their five-match one-day international series, on Monday.

Led by Suresh Raina, the second-string Indian team has given a good account of itself dominating the struggling Caribbean side, which has been weakened further by the absence of big-hitting Chris Gayle and reliable performers such as Dwayne Bravo.

In fact, the series has done a world of good to young Indian players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Raina himself.

They have proved themselves as fighters when faced with tense situations, prompting coach Duncan Fletcher to state that the given the pool of talent, his wards are set to dominate world cricket for another decade or so.

"It is due to the amount of talent India have. Indian cricket is in a very, very healthy state presently," stated Fletcher after India clinched the series with a three-wicket win yesterday.

Right-handed batsman Manoj Tiwary might get a look in after Raina hinted that reserve players are likely to be fielded for the remaining two matches. But bowling would certainly be an area of concern for the Indians.

Without the ever-reliable Zaheer Khan, who won't be available even for the Test series due to injury, the pacers led by Munaf Patel have struggled as was evident from the way West Indian number nine Andre Russell took them to the cleaners on Saturday.