Team India resume hunt for redemption by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	CH Gayle, MS Dhoni
Event:	India in West Indies 2009

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DateLine: 25th June 2009

 

India begin their campaign post their humiliating exit from the ICC T20 World Cup when they begin the four-match ODI series against the West Indies on Friday.

 

The former T20 world champions were left without a single win in the Super Eight stage. The first of the string of defeats came at the hands of the West Indies (India lost by seven wickets), a side which then made it to the semi-final stage where they lost to Sri Lanka in a one-sided encounter.

 

Dhoni and his men have faced the brunt back home where they have been subject of immense criticism both in the media and among fans all ages.

 

Dhoni had claimed that tiredness and injuries were some of the factors responsible for India's uncharacteristic ouster from the tournament. The team now though has had a good 10 days to relax and thus should be looking forward to set a few things straight in the Caribbean.

 

The skipper also has asked his players to be truthful about injuries so that the best possible team could take the field.

 

India however would miss some key players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina and Zaheer Khan, some owing to injuries and others to fatigue. The new recruits can find the going tough because none of the new faces has had any Caribbean experience.

 

India have another problem, the lack of ODIs. The team has not played any ODI since the New Zealand tour but what could counter that is the fact that they have been a real good ODI side off late. Off the last 18 matches played, India lost only three.

 

A win here would make India the second best team of the world as they would go past Australia who are currently occupying the second slot.

 

The West Indies on the other hand are coming from a high after reaching the semi-final in the T20 World Championship. However, they had a pathetic experience in their last ODI series against England. In fact, of the last seven ODI series that the West Indies have played, they have won only one. This would pinch Chris Gayle and company, who would be looking to redeem themselves as a strong 50-over unit.

 

What would test the home side would be the middle-order’s performance. Youngsters like Runako Morton and David Bernard have had their chances in the past but are yet to make significant contributions. It will be interesting to see how they cope if the onus was put on them to make big runs.

 

The bowling will also face a major setback with the news that Fidel Edwards will have to sit out the first two matches due to the back injury he suffered during the World Twenty20.

 

Though this is a small series, both sides have a lot to prove. It will be one of the sternest tests for MS Dhoni and his brigade, who kept winning everything till their fast-paced victory train was brought to a screeching halt. Gayle's men will be trying to show more of the flamboyant brilliance that they showed in the World Twenty20.