The ICC World Twenty20 opener against Pakistan provided the perfect start to India’s campaign. It marked the inaugural champion’s fourth victory over neighbours in the short history of the T20 World Cup. However, Sunday’s game between India and West Indies is expected to be an even contest. Both teams have plenty of utility and specialisation in their ranks. (LIVE UPDATES: India vs West Indies)
Statistically, West Indies have their nose ahead, given their 2-1 win/loss record against India in their three T20 international encounters so far. Nevertheless, India’s all-round performance against Pakistan has provided them momentum, which they would like to sustain against the defending champs on Sunday.
Friday’s tournament opener against Pakistan was a do-or-die situation for Raina, and he backed his selection by playing a mature 35-run knock and taking three sharp catches in the field. Often troubled by the rising ball, Raina played some delightful shots – especially the gentle pull where he was on top of the ball on most of the occasions – against Pakistan quicks. The West Indian bowlers – especially fellow Chennai Super Kings teammate Dwayne Bravo – know a thing or two about the aggressive southpaw, and there will be no dearth of whistle podu in Sunday’s fixture.
Amit Mishra
The likes of Jadeja and Ashwin have remained the spin mainstays of India for the last two years or so as Dhoni hasn’t really looked to experiment with Amit Mishra in the playing 11. Since his ODI debut in 2003, the 31-year-old leg-spinner has played only 23 games with an overall wicket tally of 40 at an impressive strike rate of 30.7. It was truly surprising that the seasoned bowler, who has played more than 100 T20 games, was playing only his second T20 international on Friday – a game that he truly made his own. A genuine flighter of the ball, Mishra perturbed Pakistan’s frail batting line-up with his crafty leg spin and was duly rewarded for his services with a well-deserved man of the match award. Given the slow nature of the pitch at Mirpur, and keeping West Indies’ weakness for spin in mind, Mishra could turn things around in the high-adrenaline game.
That is it from here. India have won their second match comfortably. Tomorrow, there is yet another double header. It's South Africa vs New Zealand first up, at 1530 local time and later in the evening, at 1930 local time, it's Sri Lanka vs Netherlands. Do join us for all the action tomorrow. Till then, cheers and goodbye.Amit Mishra gets back to back Man of the Match awards. He is very happy that he has got back to back awards. He says that he is enjoying the game at the moment and that's very important for him. Adds that every team has its own strength and he prefers working on their weaknesses. Credits all of this to the hard work he has done in the nets.
Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja were the artists with the ball. Surprisingly, most of the otherwise explosive batsmen were quite conservative today. They need a fresh plan before their next game. India sit pretty on the top of the table with two wins. One more will see them through to the semis.India were slow in the chase after the initial flamboyance shown by Sharma and Kohli. They took the game till the last over, probably to provide some bowling practice to the Windies bowlers. Anyway, the match was won by the Indian spinners who kept the West Indies batsmen well under check right throughout the innings.
India Vs West Indies 2nd Odi Live Streaming 24 Nov 2013.
Sun Nov 24
2nd ODI - India vs West Indies
Andhra Cricket Association, Visakhapatnam
