West Indies are in a real bind heading into the third ODI against India. After the first two matches, they’ve managed just four wickets while conceding 706 runs – that’s as many centuries as they’ve allowed. It’s a desperate situation for their bowling attack, which needs to find some bite and stay disciplined if they want to avoid a series whitewash.
India, on the other hand, haven’t been flashy with the ball themselves, but they’re missing key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and the injured Prasidh Krishna. Kuldeep Yadav has been a standout with six wickets, helping to keep West Indies in check. The dynamic could shift if West Indies win the toss and bat first, or if India chooses to defend a total, testing their own bowling.
Looking at recent form, India’s last five ODIs show a mixed record: WWLLW, while West Indies are struggling with LLWLL. The spotlight falls on two players: Jayden Seales, whose raw pace and Test credentials suggest he’s the biggest threat to India’s batters, though he hasn’t yet delivered in this series. And then there’s Shubman Gill, who’s been smashing records – he’s already notched up 894 runs in 10 innings this year and could challenge Sachin Tendulkar’s annual record if the pitches keep favoring big scores.
Team news adds intrigue. With Prasidh out, Mohammed Siraj is likely to finally get a game, replacing him in the lineup. India might also consider resting some players, but it’s doubtful they’d sit Rohit Sharma given his limited ODI appearances. West Indies are expected to stick with the stronger bowling XI from the last match.
The venue, New Chandigarh, makes its ODI debut. Based on IPL experiences, the pitch should offer good pace and bounce, but not to the extreme that Guwahati did. With milder temperatures and lower humidity, it should be a fair contest for both batsmen and bowlers.
