Champions trophy: Five Reasons India should take West Indies seriously

The Champions Trophy has this crisp quality about it that ensures that each match is as important as a knockout match. Today Pakistan and South Africa will contest a virtual knockout match in Group B, whereas India will take on the West Indies tomorrow in a match that is most likely to deliver the first semi-finalist of Champions Trophy 2013. India have been firing on all cylinders with the bat, notching up three consecutive 300+ scores, whereas the West Indies bowling bundled out the Pakistan side for a low total that they could chase down. India must be drooling at the prospect of meeting the West Indies as they look the far better team on paper. But complacency can mar their plans.

India’s balanced side has defined roles for its three departments. The match-winning effort comes with the bat, whereas alertness on the field supplements a novice bowling attack. India have some players who are in scintillating form. Shikhar Dhawan is one of them and will be the key player for India against the likes of Kemar Roach. Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik have big tons in their bag in the warm-up matches, and that will give them confidence. On the other hand, Umesh Yadav has spearheaded the Indian bowling attack with the quality assistance from the spin department that shackles the opposition during the middle overs. However, the Indian team should not take the Caribbean side lightly. Here is five reasons the West Indies can spring up a surprise.

1. Conditions at the Oval

The Oval may not be very conducive for the Indian batting

West Indies have stayed put at the Oval after their first low-scoring game against Pakistan that was played there. On the other hand, India will be travelling to the Oval for the first time in this competition as they played their warm up games at Cardiff and at Edgbaston. Batting conditions at Cardiff, though not like the sub-continent, were favorable. The ball was coming on to the bat, bounce was consistently good but not sharp, whereas the Oval is likely to offer a little more assistance to the West Indian bowlers. They will be familiar with the conditions. Add to that Ravi Rampaul’s penchant for the Indian batsman, and it could be quite a task for the Indians.

2. Complacency against the short ball

Kemar Roach may cause all sorts of problems for the Indians

India answered many of their critics by facing up to the South African charge of short length bowling in their first game. Rohit Sharma, especially, pulled and hooked with freedom ensuring that he dispelled the perception that Indians were toothless against the short ball. However, that should not be taken to mean that the technical skill of sub-continent batsmen has suddenly improved. Used to dry surfaces that take pace off the ball, the short ball will continue to be a weapon against the Indians as was evidenced in the two helmet strikes made by Ryan Mclaren. Kemar Roach can be trusted to bend his back on the day.

3. Key West Indian players

Marlon Samuels has a good record against India

The West Indies has emerged as a potent limited overs side in the recent years made up of explosive individuals with all-round abilities. Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Kieron Pollard can pack a strong punch and have the ability to win a game on their own. Add to that the promise of Darren Bravo and experience of Ramnaresh Sarwan, and you have a decent batting line-up who can put up and chase a score of 250-275. Kieron Pollard’s lower middle order skills must be utilized and that can happen only if West Indies have a stable platform. Marlon Samuels has had a terrific time against India in the past, and he will pose a considerable threat as well.

4. Indian Bowling

Ishant Sharma will have to be at his best throughout the tournament

From the very start of this Champions Trophy, critics were unanimous in pointing to India’s batting strength; but they were also unanimous in pointing towards the vulnerability of the Indian bowling line-up. These critics were silenced by India’s excellent performance against Australia in the warm-up game, but the fact is that was a warm-up game against a depleted Australian side. South Africa, at one stage, looked like they would chase down the huge total set by India, and hence huge totals set by India may not ensure India’s victory.

5. Sunil Narine

Indian batsmen will have to be wary of Sunil Narine

India’s traditional batting strength against spin has been exposed numerous times against the so called ‘mystery spinners’. Ajantha Mendis is a bowler who has always done well against the Indian batsmen. A similar threat will be posed by Sunil Narine, who will be a wicket-taking bowler for Dwayne Bravo. He used Narine very smartly in the last game giving him aggressive and unorthodox fields. It will be interesting to see the impact that he has on the game.