Champions trophy: Five Reasons India should take West Indies seriously

The Champions Trophy has this crisp quality about it that ensures that each match is as important as a knockout match. Today Pakistan and South Africa will contest a virtual knockout match in Group B, whereas India will take on the West Indies tomorrow in a match that is most likely to deliver the first semi-finalist of Champions Trophy 2013. India have been firing on all cylinders with the bat, notching up three consecutive 300+ scores, whereas the West Indies bowling bundled out the Pakistan side for a low total that they could chase down. India must be drooling at the prospect of meeting the West Indies as they look the far better team on paper. But complacency can mar their plans.

India’s balanced side has defined roles for its three departments. The match-winning effort comes with the bat, whereas alertness on the field supplements a novice bowling attack. India have some players who are in scintillating form. Shikhar Dhawan is one of them and will be the key player for India against the likes of Kemar Roach. Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik have big tons in their bag in the warm-up matches, and that will give them confidence. On the other hand, Umesh Yadav has spearheaded the Indian bowling attack with the quality assistance from the spin department that shackles the opposition during the middle overs. However, the Indian team should not take the Caribbean side lightly. Here is five reasons the West Indies can spring up a surprise.

1. Conditions at the Oval

The Oval may not be very conducive for the Indian batting

West Indies have stayed put at the Oval after their first low-scoring game against Pakistan that was played there. On the other hand, India will be travelling to the Oval for the first time in this competition as they played their warm up games at Cardiff and at Edgbaston. Batting conditions at Cardiff, though not like the sub-continent, were favorable. The ball was coming on to the bat, bounce was consistently good but not sharp, whereas the Oval is likely to offer a little more assistance to the West Indian bowlers. They will be familiar with the conditions. Add to that Ravi Rampaul’s penchant for the Indian batsman, and it could be quite a task for the Indians.