WI series: Hosts look to make it count after WC debacle

By Debayan Mukherjee

Kolkata, Aug 3 (IANS) After a forgettable World Cup campaign, the West Indies will have the odds stacked heavily against them even at home against India.

But with the tourists bearing an unsettled look on and off the pitch, they might fancy their chances of pulling off an upset of sorts in the full series comprising three T20s, three ODIs and two tests starting Saturday.

IANS takes a look at West Indies' strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats ahead of India's tour for the limited overs.

Strengths:

West Indies have always been a threat when it comes to T20s. The players not only play around the globe in T20 leagues, but are also very successful with the likes of Gayle, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard being some of the big names in the shortest format. Therefore, they will have an edge over India in the three T20s.

Athough the World Cup has shown they are still not there as far as ODIs are concerned, upcoming stars like Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran will look to make an impression against India who are without star pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the series.

Also, in his final appearance, Gayle will look to end on a high and on his day, there are few more destructive batters than him even at 39 years of age.

Weaknesses:

West Indies batters lack temperament and that is their biggest problem as far as the ODIs are concerned. The World Cup was a testament to their poor application and against a quality side like India, that can hurt them big time unless they buck up.

The bowling is also thin on experience as was evident in the World Cup but Sheldon Cottrell did show promise and he will be looking to continue with the good work.

Opportunities:

For Gayle, it is an opportunity to end on a high, but more importantly for West Indies cricket, the likes of Hope, Pooran, John Campbell, Roston Chase will see this as an opportunity to further cement their places as the future of Windies cricket. These players have shown in the past that they have it in them and by doing well against India, they can further boost that image.

Threats:

Playing India is always a challenge and for the West Indies who lack pedigree in longer formats of the game, it is all the more a threat as a slip up can lead to further plummeting in the pecking order. While there is a silver lining in India coming into the tour being under the pump for more reasons than one, another show like the World Cup where they were billed as the dark horses can lead to their downfall.

ODI squad: Jason Holder (C), Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Keemo Paul, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Kemar Roach

T20I Squad: John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Keemo Paul, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Anthony Bramble, Andre Russell, Khary Pierre.