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India's bowling lineup is undeniably one of the strongest in the current World Cup, and the West Indies will certainly be cautious heading into their clash this Thursday, June 27, 2019. To survive such a dangerous attack, the Caribbean batters will have to be at the top of their game. But the bowling isn't the only hurdle the Windies have to clear.
The pressure also shifts to the West Indian bowlers, who are about to face a serious onslaught. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni—three of India's most seasoned players—bring a wealth of experience with 26, 32, and 38 ODIs against the Windies, respectively. Their past performances suggest they are more than ready to dominate the Caribbean bowling unit.The powerhouse trio: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, have an experience of playing in 26, 32 and 38 ODIs against the Windies respectively and their record tells that they are waiting to feast on the Caribbean bowling attack.
Rohit Sharma is currently in peak form, racking up 320 runs in just four innings with a staggering average of 106.66, including two centuries. Given his historic dominance over the West Indies—where he averages 64.15 with 1219 total runs—there is a very strong possibility we'll see another hundred from him this Thursday.
Kohli is equally primed for a massive performance. He has already accumulated 241 runs in this tournament at an average of 61.00, and he looks poised to elevate his game even further. His record against the West Indies is legendary, boasting 1840 runs at a massive average of 70.76, featuring seven centuries and 16 scores of fifty or more.
Even if the West Indies manage the unlikely feat of dismissing both Sharma and Kohli early, they still have to face MS Dhoni. Dhoni has been just as destructive against the Caribbean side, scoring 949 runs across 38 matches at a solid average of 52.72. While a century has eluded him against them, he has consistently delivered with seven half-centuries.
It's not just about their averages; the scoring speed of these three is what's truly frightening. Sharma (90.76), Kohli (96.63), and Dhoni (90.43) all maintain strike rates above 90. Meanwhile, most West Indian bowlers have struggled with economy rates over 6 in this tournament. While Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Russell, and Kemar Roach are more disciplined, injuries have kept Roach and Russell inconsistent in the lineup. Unless the Windies can trigger early wickets, containing these three will be a nightmare.
Written by: Prasenjit Dey