Tame Series..

In the midst of a hangover of the recently concluded Asian Games where Indian athletes diverted some attention from the Champions Trophy, comes another series. All headlines claim, what a meaningless series in the wake of a looming series Down Under and an impending World Cup where India are defending champions with the same man at the helm - Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

But, as Dhoni said, he would like to believe that there are plenty to prepare and look forward to. A Windies unit without Gayle and Narine looks half the side on paper, but they have interesting names like Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo and Pollard to keep the interest alive. 

For Team India, the only worry would be around the opening slot in the immediate term. Ajinkya Rahane gets another go at the top where he did make the right noises in England and looks like the correct option to open in Australia-New Zealand as well. He has done well in the domestic season and been prolific at the top for the Rajasthan Royals, the IPL franchise he plays for. However, I could not have been more disappointed at the exclusion of Robin Uthappa. He has been among the runs after an overhaul of his batting style and approach. Kolkata Knight Riders owe a lot to him for the 'coveted' Champions Trophy and the IPL crowns. Maybe he is in the mix for the World Cup, but with Rohit Sharma sure to come back to the Playing XI (and maybe at the top of the order) whenever he is fit, the opportunity for Robin to make the starting XI is remote. Unless ofcourse something dramatic happens. Like the Windies beat India in the series. Which maybe likely if they bat better than us. 

This could happen in the wake of 2 of the Top 3 not in great touch. Shikhar Dhawan is a default opener now for Team India. There is no competition in the form of a Gautam Gambhir or anyone else for the series. Unless Ajinkya or somebody gets unfit Murali Vijay will be warm the bench for the better half of the series. Shikhar has struggled and has not looked the force that catapulted him to the opening slot. He has displaced a hungry and determined Gambhir out of the side. Same curious case vis-a-vis Virat. He has been so impressive and prolific since 2008, that the fans expect him to score hundreds and fifties every match, otherwise he is labelled out of form !! If Shikhar and Virat continue to struggle and Rahane and Raina have an off day, Windies could steal a win !

Kochi is likely to be a belter (God willing, i.e. if it does not rain), and the team that bats better wins. With no Sunil Narine, the onus to win the game for the Windies lies with their power hitters. Pollard, Samuels and Smith. If they come good, they have a chance. Add Sammy and Russell and you may have a smart pack with enough ammunition to upset Team India.

Dhoni knows this, and he would know that any slip up at the top of the order could mean exposing the middle order. However, the batting unit as a whole is well oiled and high on confidence after the English exploits. With Amit Mishra back and eager to impress, Windies should struggle against spin. I guess the way both teams play spin will be the difference in the scores.

I see a comfortable win for Team India at Kochi. It has been a happy hunting ground for Team India, and will continue to be like that.