 India will play their first game of the Super Eights against West Indies
at Lord's in London on Friday. India had won both their league games - against
Bangladesh and Ireland - before getting to the second round, while West
Indies had upset Australia but were stream-rolled by Pakistan in their second
game.
West Indies will dearly hope that their captain Chris Gayle regains full fitness
before the game, given that he could just be the difference between a win and
a loss. His inning against Australia had virtually knocked the stuffing
out of the world champions, and another such knock could do the same to the
Indians. Yet, it would need more than just a Gayle to be able to do total damage
against a bowling line-up, which is probably one of the best in the tournament.
Andre Fletcher had a good game against the Aussies, but it will need one of
Ramnaresh Sarwan or Shivanaraine Chanderpaul to come good in the
middle order, especially if there is an early loss or two of wickets.
Fidel Edwards was supposed to be West Indies' trump card, but so far, he has
been hit around the park, more so, in the last game against Sri Lanka when Sanath
Jayasuriya went bonkers. Instead, Dwayne Bravo has been handling the responsibility
of an all-rounder rather well, and the Indians may have to be careful about
him.
Team India has had their own share of issues in the last couple of days, what
with the apparent Virender Sehwag-MS Dhoni feud, to be followed by Dhoni-media
battle. They did beat Ireland in their previous game, but West Indies will be
their first true test. Whether they will be able to focus on the game is a question
that many will be asking!
The batting looks to have settled down a bit, Dhoni will need to allow Suresh Raina to bat at number three and push himself down the order. To me, Yuvraj Singh may need to be given a longer run at number four as well, and given
the form he had exhibited in the Bangladesh-game, he could just be the match-turner
for India. Rohit Sharma had fitted himself in the role of an opener rather well,
but he would do well to not throw his wicket away!
Zaheer Khan's four-wicket haul against Ireland should make for a good battle
between Gayle and him! With Ishant Sharma blowing hot as well, the Indian quick
bowling may seem in good hands, but Irfan Pathan's lack o f pace has begun to
hurt India.
Yet, it will be the spinners - Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh - who will
hold all the keys of the game!
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