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West Indies may have lost the ODI series against India, but their performance in the second match at Guwahati offered plenty of encouragement. After being restricted to 295/7 in the series opener, the visitors responded emphatically by smashing 405/7 — their highest-ever total in Men’s ODI cricket. John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo all scored centuries, while Roston Chase and Shamar Joseph provided late acceleration.
However, the massive total proved insufficient as India chased down 406 in only 43.3 overs. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 223 and Rohit Sharma’s 101 powered India to an eight-wicket victory and sealed the three-match series.
With the third ODI scheduled for October 3 at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, West Indies have an opportunity to finish the series on a positive note.
The first potential change could be a return for Jewel Andrew, particularly if Justin Greaves remains unavailable.
Greaves has been an important part of West Indies’ ODI plans, but he suffered a calf injury during his century in the first ODI and was ruled out of the second match. He was also reported to be in doubt for the third ODI.
In Guwahati, Keacy Carty was promoted to open alongside John Campbell, while Sherfane Rutherford returned to the middle order. Carty, however, managed only nine runs before being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna.
If Greaves is unavailable again, West Indies could consider bringing Andrew back and reshuffling the batting order. Andrew’s inclusion would provide another specialist batting option while allowing the team to maintain greater flexibility in the middle order.
The objective should be to preserve the aggressive opening approach that worked so well in Guwahati without leaving the middle order overly dependent on Hope and Jangoo.
The biggest concern from the second ODI was not West Indies’ batting but their inability to defend a 405-run total.
Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph are capable of producing breakthroughs, but India dominated the bowling attack once Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill established their opening partnership. India reached 255 before Rohit was dismissed, while Gill remained unbeaten on 223.
West Indies could therefore consider strengthening their pace resources for the final game.
Matthew Forde was dropped for the second ODI, with Shamar Joseph coming into the XI, while Vitel Lawes replaced Gudakesh Motie. The visitors subsequently used six bowling options, but India still scored at a remarkable rate.
A different combination could give Hope an additional specialist seamer and more flexibility during the middle and death overs. The key will be creating more wicket-taking opportunities rather than simply trying to contain India’s scoring rate.
Against a batting unit featuring Rohit, Gill and Virat Kohli, defensive bowling alone is unlikely to be enough.
The third change need not necessarily involve personnel. West Indies also need a major tactical adjustment.
Their batting unit did almost everything right in Guwahati. Campbell’s 101 came from just 68 balls, Hope scored 104 off 94, and Jangoo smashed 114 from 77 deliveries. The team eventually reached 405/7, crossing 400 for the first time in ODI cricket.
Yet the bowling attack struggled to put India under sustained pressure.
Rohit and Gill added 255 for the opening wicket, completely changing the equation before Rohit departed. Gill then continued his assault and eventually finished unbeaten on 223 off 133 balls.
West Indies therefore need clearer plans for the Indian openers. Bowling changes, attacking fields and greater use of short-ball or stump-to-stump strategies could be considered depending on the New Chandigarh conditions.
The visitors also need to avoid allowing Gill to settle. Once the Indian captain moved through the gears, the required rate stopped being a meaningful factor.
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