Confident India favourites in tri-series
Within a week of registering a morale-boosting win over England in the final of Champions Trophy, India is back to the grinds of 50-over cricket, facing hosts West Indies and Sri Lanka in a tri-series in the Caribbean.
India wouldn't mind much playing another tournament as they are on a roll, having decimated all the opposition on their way to title in the Champions Trophy. Such has been the dominating performance by Dhoni and Co. that it has brought some sanity into the game and cheers for Indian fans after the sport was rocked by the spot fixing scandal in the IPL just a month ago.
India has retained the same team that did duty in the Champions Trophy and going by Dhoni's tactics, he would be keen to go with the same winning XI that played in the final, unless a player has to be replaced due to injury.
However, it would be sad to note that this tournament, too, is likely to be affected by the weather and a full game may not be possible. Although for the Indian fans, it would be an overdose of cricket, they wouldn't mind much as long as the team is winning and spot fixing scandal is on the back burner.
For the other two teams in the competition, they have some work to do before eyeing a final against favourite India. West Indies were unlucky to be knocked out of the Champions Trophy after a tie against South Africa in a rain-curtailed match, while Sri Lanka, after promising much in league matches, got knocked off by a confident India.
West Indies, though a formidable team with many excellent all-rounders such as Keiron Pollard, Darren Bravo, has failed to work their magic as a team. Playing at home will give them an advantage, but it would boil down to sticking to the basics and how well they perform as a team.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would again look to shed their chokers tag and play out of their skin in knockout matches to give any serious challenge for the winner's trophy.
The first match of the tournament starts June 28 between Sri Lanka and West Indies at Sabina Park at 20.00 IST. India opens it campaign on June 30 against West Indies at the same ground.
Squad: West Indies: Dwayne Bravo (C), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Christopher Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels and Devon Smith.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (C), Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Mahela Jayawardene, Jeevan Mendis, Ajantha Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Dilhara Lokuhettige and Shaminda Eranga.
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, R Vinay
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