India vs West Indies, 5th ODI: India vs Jason Holder and other key battles

What could have been a one-sided affair, has now turned into an interesting series and it is the decider as India will face West Indies face in the fifth One-Day International (ODI) of the ongoing series.

What could have been a one-sided series has now turned into an interesting one, as the outcome of the fifth and final match between India and West Indies will decide the fate. At the Sabina Park in Jamaica on Thursday, West Indies stand a chance to end the series in a draw while India, leading 2-1 so, can take away the series with one last victory. As the two teams gear up for the most crucial fixture, here are key battles. Full Cricket Scorecard: West Indies vs India, 5th ODI

Virat Kohli vs outside off-stump: As cliched as it may sound, Kohli’s problems with deliveries outside off-stump still persist. In the series, Kohli has been dismissed thrice, out of which two times he misjudged the ones deviating away from him. It is evident to even the inexperienced West Indies bowlers that if they are to get the talismanic batsman out, they will have to frustrate him bowling in the same, weak region over and over again. This is Kohli’s battle with himself.

Shai Hope vs Hardik Pandya: West Indies’ most efficient batsman in this series has been dismissed two out of three times by Hardik Pandya. Shai Hope, after his domestic heroics, is all set to deliver at the international level and has shown the mettle he has within, but has not been quite comfortable facing Pandya’s bouncers. This will be his final chance to play another impressive knock and decode the Pandya mystery, while the young Indian all-rounder will thoroughly utilise whatever bounce the pitch has to offer to get his bunny yet again.

Jason Holder vs India: West Indies made a brilliant comeback in the fourth ODI, but a majority of the credit goes to Jason Holder.

The West Indian captain, to face a star-studded Indian side, was given a novice West Indies team. He used his limited strength well against India, while putting his bowling skills to good use and snatching a victory out of the visitors’  jaw. He will surely be the man to watch out for, as his 5-for in the fourth ODI included the precious wickets of Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.

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