June 22, Saturday was the most exhilarating day of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 so far. India versus Afghanistan at the Rose Bowl and New Zealand-West Indies in Manchester made for exciting finishes that were relished by supporters of the teams playing and lovers of the game as a whole.

While India overcame the unexpected Afghani challenge to continue their dream spell at the World Cup, Carlos Brathwaite and the Windies had their dream diminished. With contrasting CWC 19 campaigns, the two teams will meet for Match Number 34 of the tournament at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Having played at this venue in the previous match, the Men in Maroon will be well acquainted with the pitch and conditions. Moreover, having faced a frustrating 5-run defeat against the Blackcaps, Jason Holder and Co. will be all the more invigorated for a win.

The best news for both teams is that the weather should be conducive for a full match on Thursday, as it is expected to be a sunny day with almost no chance of rains. The news not so good for the Windies squad was the ruling out of Andre Russell, owing to a knee injury. Batsman Sunil Ambris has been named as the all-rounder’s replacement for the remainder of the World Cup.

Team Form:

The Men in Blue are marching towards a semi-final berth. Their unbeaten record so far is a result of supreme performances in all departments of the game. Although, Rohit Sharma had an off day against Afghanistan, that he averages 64.15 against West Indies – his highest against any team – will give both him and India confidence. Add to that skipper Virat Kohli’s form of three consecutive fifties and an average of 70.76 runs. After the poor display in Southampton, the Indian batting unit will be raring to make amends in Manchester.

The bowlers, on the other hand, were on the top of their game as they defended the sub-par total and steered the match in India’s favour in a nail-biting finish. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was seen practising in the indoor practice session, as he is well on his way to recovering from his hamstring injury. The swing ace will have to compete for a place in the playing XI with Mohammed Shami who made a mark at the World Cup with impressive figures of 4/40 that included a 50^th over hat-trick.

The men from the Caribbean Isles had much to learn from their encounter with the Kiwis. From being in a comfortable position in their run chase to giving away easy wickets to find themselves in an irrevocable position. While the Brathwaite century did bring some glimmer of hope, it was extinguished in the penultimate Jimmy Neesham over.

Despite the potential and talent in their side, the Windies have turned up only in patches. The likes of Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran have been contributing, but the unit has not come together as and when needed. However, these batsmen performing in unison can cause tremendous destruction. The bowlers have been the better set of players for the Windies. Sheldon Cottrell has been their stand-out performer, proving himself valuable with the ball and in the out-field.

Key Battle:

Jasprit Bumrah vs Chris Gayle

Two prolific cricketers, two dynamic players – Bumrah bowling to Gayle will be a good battle to watch. Bumrah has been doing wonders at the start of the innings, and at any given stage his captain wants him to. Veteran Gayle, who has been performing in patches, played a bold 87-run knock.

In a memorable meeting of the two in international colours at the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, the Indian pacer had rattled the stumps of the Universal Boss with an in-swinging yorker. While Gayle will be keen to give his team a start and add to his 194-run tally, Bumrah will run in hard to dent the Windies batting early into the innings.

The match at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester will start at 3 PM IST on 27^th June, Thursday.