India will take on the West Indies in an important match in Group B that will determine the finishing spots for both the teams, at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, March 20. >
India are currently in second spot and win here, and a loss for South Africa against Bangladesh, will take them to first spot. The West Indies are in fourth spot and a win here, and a loss for South Africa, could take them to first spot. >
Both the teams go into this game with defeats in their last games. India lost to South Africa in Nagpur, after crumbling like a pack of cards, while the West Indies lost to England in Chennai by a close margin.
India are likely to make a couple of changes in the team. Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been waiting patiently in the sidelines, will play in place of either Munaf Patel or Ashish Nehra. Suresh Raina, who plays for the Chennai Super Kings, is also likely to get into the team in place of Yusuf Pathan. Pathan has not fired in this tournament and has thrown away two chances during which he was promoted up the order. Raina, like Ashwin, has not played a game yet and will want to prove his worth ahead of the knock out games.
West Indies were very unlucky to have lost their previous game. The lack of a middle order batsman to hold the innings together cost them the game. The new leg spinner, Devendra Bishoo, was very impressive and will be key for them in this game as well.
All eyes will be on the Chepauk track. It has been crumbling under pressure and it will interesting to see if it can hold firm for the whole game. The toss will become very important and the winner, in all likelihood, will bat first.