After the five-match ODI series between India and West Indies became a four match contest following the cancellation of the third ODI in Visakhapatnam due to a cyclone, and with the two sides locked at 1-1, they will resume hostilities at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmasala on Friday.
The Indian selectors have added a 15th player to their squad for the remaining two matches of the ODI series, the Gujarat and Kings XI Punjab left-arm spinner, Akshar Patel. The rest of the squad remain intact from the first “three” matches of the series.
Akshar has made three previous ODI appearances for his country, his debut coming in June against Bangladesh. A strong performance in the Indian Premier League, was followed up with his finishing the recently completed Champion League Trophy T20 tournament as the second most successful spinner.
With eight wickets in his five appearances, and an economy rate of just 6.15, only the West Indian Sunil Marine produced better figures. That T20 form has led to his selection for the squad for the one off T20 international that follows immediately after the completion of the ODI fixtures.
The West Indies have suffered a major blow, not just for the fourth ODI, but for the remainder of the tour to India as a whole, with the news that batsman Lendl Simmons will miss the rest of the trip to the sub-continent with a back injury.
The West Indies Board of Control announced that he will return home to Trinidad & Tobago to continue his rehabilitation. Simmons had not played in either of the first two ODIs, although he did take part in a practice game against India “A”.
The Board is expected to announce who will replace Simmons in the next few days. Although the batsman hasn’t appeared in a Test match for the Caribbean side since 2011, he has been a regular member of the team for limited-overs cricket.