What

The third One-Day International of the five-match series between India and West Indies

When

December 5, 2011. The game begins at 14:30 pm, IST. The match is a day-night affair

Where

Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Ahmedabad. India won their last ODI match played at this venue, which was the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup quarter-final against Australia. But before that result, India had lost their previous four encounters here. The West Indies, on the other hand, will take hope from the fact that they have won four of the six matches they have played here; three of these wins have come against India.

The Teams

India’s problems are right at the top of their batting order with Virender Sehwag, Parthiv Patel and Gautam Gambhir all struggling to post big scores. However, with Rohit Sharma having contributed with two half-centuries and Virat Kohli shining with his eighth ODI century in the Vizag ODI, the Indian batting still looks formidable. What has really boosted the hosts’ fortunes, though, is the good form of the bowlers in this series. Though R Ashwin went for 74 runs in his 10 overs in the second ODI, Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and R Vinay Kumar have kept the visitors on a tight leash while taking wickets.

In addition to their batting woes, the West Indies have been hampered by the inconsistent form of their bowlers. After Ravi Rampaul’s unbeaten 86 (the highest score ever by a No. 10 batsman in ODIs) had taken them to a competitive total of 269 at Vizag, the bowlers simply couldn’t keep the Indians in check during the run chase. Captain Darren Sammy and all-rounder Kieron Pollard will have to shoulder more responsibility on this front given that their 20.5 overs in this series have given away 115 runs (economy-rat 5.61) for just two wickets.

Trivia

• India have now won 11 consecutive ODIs at home (starting from the World Cup game against West Indies at Chennai). The world record for most consecutive wins at home has been achieved by by four teams on five occasions: 12 wins.

• Lendl Simmons has hit a hundred and scored eight fifties in 11 innings in 2011.

Venue Stats:

India – played - 13, won - 6, lost – 7, tied – 0, no result – 0

West Indies – played - 6, won - 4, lost – 2, tied – 0, no result – 0

Highest total in an innings: South Africa 365/2 in 50.0 overs v India - February 27, 2010

Lowest total in an innings: Zimbabwe 85 in 30.1 overs v West Indies - October 8, 2006

Best individual score in an innings: Sourav Ganguly (India) – 144 v Zimbabwe - December 5, 2000

Best bowling figures in an innings: Mitchell Johnson (Australia) 9.2-2-19-4 v Zimbabwe – February 21, 2011

Average first innings score at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium:

In day/night matches: 258

In all matches: 226

Result summary at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium:

Head-to-head:

Last ODI meeting between India and West Indies at Ahmedabad: Oct 26, 2006

Brief scores: West Indies 224-7 (49.4 overs) beat India 223-9 (50.0 overs) by 3 wickets

Form guide (most recent listed first):

India: Won, Won, Won, Won, Won (5 wins)

West Indies: Lost, Lost, Lost, Won, Won (2 wins, 3 losses)

The Squads:

India: Virender Sehwag (c), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Parthiv Patel (wk), Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, Rahul Sharma, Abhimanyu Mithun, Vinay Kumar

West Indies: Darren Sammy (c), Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Danza Hyatt, Anthony Martin, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons

All stats are as onDecember 04, 2011