India is walking on thin ice in the ICC Champions Trophy. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men require to beat the West Indies convincingly in a Group ‘A’ match at the Wanderers on Wednesday to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
Before the beginning of their day/night encounter, the Indians might have a fair idea about where they stand. By then, the Pakistan–Australia duel at Centurion, a day game, would have been past the mid-way stage. India also requires Pakistan to defeat Australia. If India and Australia finish on three points each, the net run-rate will come into play. Presently Australia's net run-rate is +1.000. India is behind at -1.08.
India only has itself to blame for the mess it finds itself in. The side got the balance of the side wrong against Pakistan. To make things worse, Dhoni's management of overs was ordinary at a crucial juncture of the Pakistan innings.
There was a dense cloud cover over Johannesburg on Tuesday and rain could be a threat on Wednesday as well. India does not quite have its destiny in its own hands.
The Indians will have to adjust to the quicker track at the Wanderers from the sluggish surface at SuperSport Park. This could be challenge in itself.
The pitch at the Wanderers still has a fair measure of pace and bounce although there has been less movement off the seam for the pacemen in the last couple of games. But then, an overcast sky could assist swing.
Even this depleted West Indian side has a pretty lively pace attack and the likes of Gavin Tonge, Kemar Roach and Tino Best could probe the Indian line-up. Some of the younger Indian batsmen could be against some well-directed short-pitched bowling.
India left out Yusuf Pathan to accommodate an extra bowler against Australia and skipper Dhoni later said performances in the IPL should not be a basis for selection for the longer formats of the game.
"He (Yusuf) has been in splendid form in the IPL but has failed to translate that into international cricket. That's a worry," said Dhoni.
The Indian skipper added the bowlers were short of confidence. Ishant Sharma certainly appears to be lacking in self-belief. He is a shadow of the bowler he was in Australia not so long ago.
While the think-tank might still field him at the Wanderers, Ishant should, ideally, be given a break from the abbreviated forms of the game until he rediscovers rhythm. The lanky paceman needs to be preserved for Test cricket.
Much of the Indian hopes hinge on the technical expertise of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. The team would also seek quick runs from the in-form Gautam Gambhir. Another left-hander, Suresh Raina, blazed away against Pakistan but could be tested on the bouncy track here.
It remains to be seen if India fields two spinners on the surface here; leggie Amit Mishra bowled splendidly against Australia. The chances are that the side could opt for an extra paceman. Abhishek Nayar, a punishing southpaw who can send down seamers, is also in the fray.
Although the side gave an improved display against Australia, the West Indian batting is distinctly wobbly. Andre Fletcher, Devon Smith and Travis Dowlin are the key men in the line-up. Pace bowling all-rounders David Bernard and Darren Sammy could pull their weight.
The teams: India : M.S. Dhoni (captain), S. Tendulkar, G. Gambhir, R. Dravid, S. Raina, V. Kohli, H. Singh, R.P. Singh, I. Sharma, P. Kumar, A. Nehra, A. Mishra, A. Nayar, D. Karthik, Y. Pathan,
West Indies : F. Reifer (captain), D. Smith, A, Fletcher, D. Richards, T. Dowlin, D. Bernard, D. Sammy, C. Walton, N. Miller, G. Tonge, T. Best, K. Roach, K. Powell, R. Crandon, K. McClean.
Play starts at 6 pm IST.
