Daijiworld Media Network
Mumbai, Nov 22: A spirited Indian team is eyeing a clean sweep against West Indies at the third and final cricket test beginning here at Wankhede stadium on Tuesday, November 22.
If India is well prepared to score a 3-0 win in the series, West Indies on the other hand has its own plans to beat India to salvage some respect, even though it has lost the series already.
Once again, Indian fans all over the world and especially those in the stadium will be waiting with bated breath for Sachin to reach the magic figues of 100th century. During the World Cup match against South Africa on March 12, 2011, Sachin Tendulkar had hit his 99th ton, and thereafter, the ton of tons was expected in each and every international match he played. He could not reach that figure in the World Cup, and so also during India's tour of England and the ongoing West Indies series.
On Tuesday, the team winning the toss will be expected to bat first as the pitch will be helpful for the batsmen. If India bat first, the team will be looking to put up a score of over 400 runs, given the strong batting line-up. But this may not be applicable for West Indies with its comparitively weak batting line-up. "Wankede pitch will be a sportive one; with green grass it will help fast bowlers in the first three days and spin bowlers during the last two," says curator Sudhir Nayak. "The weather is also excellent in Mumbai, so all together, it will be an exciting pitch for professional cricket," he says.
The Indian top order is in tremendous form with Sehwag hitting two 50s in the series and Gambhir finding his form. Both have retained their place in the team. Dravid, Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Dhoni have been spectacular throughout the series. But it will be interesting to see who will find place in the final eleven since Yuvaraj Singh has been dropped from the team. Though Rohit Sharma was recalled, Virat Kohli is waiting to make it to the Indian eleven. He could prove his worth on Indian pitches. Kohli was not so successful in India's tour of West Indies.
The other interesting factor to watch out for would be the crowd turnout. Both New Delhi and Kolkata test matches have failed miserably to attract crowds and administrators were terribly disappointed. But in Mumbai, can a ticket of Rs 50 per day bring spectators? Or will there be a big crowd to cheer Sachin?
Well, time will answer....
Teams:
India (Playing XI): Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma
West Indies (Playing XI): Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels, Carlton Baugh(w), Darren Sammy(c), Ravi Rampaul, Devendra Bishoo, Fidel Edwards