Off to conquer the Caribbean

Jun 27, 2013 - Age Correspondent

Team India go into the tri-series in Caribbean as the favourites after winning the Champions Trophy in England.

After their dominant show in the recently-concluded Champions Trophy, the victorious Team India left for the Caribbean on Wednesday to compete in the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and the hosts West Indies.

India will play their first match against hosts on Sunday in Jamica and will take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday before the series moves to Port-of-Spain. West Indies and Sri Lanka will meet in the tournament opener on Friday.
Team India are riding on a crest of a wave after lifting the Champions Trophy — where they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. As India have won their previous two series in the Caribbean, the Dhoni & Co. would be under added pressure to continue the winning streak in the tri-series.
The selectors have shown faith in the same team that participated in the CT with only the injured Irfan Pathan making way for Bengal pacer Shami Ahmed.
The last time the Men in Blue played a series in the West Indies, the side was led by Suresh Raina as regular captain M.S. Dhoni was rested following India’s successful campaign at the 2011 World Cup. Despite missing the likes of Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, Raina under the supervision of Duncan Fletcher — the Zimbabwean’s first coaching assignment with Team India —led the team to a 3-2 win over the Windies.
Rohit Sharma, who was adjudged the man of the series during the 2011 tour, is expected to retain the opener’s slot along with Shikhar Dhawan who is riding high on confidence after winning the golden bat at CT. The left-hander from Delhi, who incidentally scored his first half-century in the international cricket against West Indies, would be eager to continue his rich vein of form.
With the wickets in the Caribbean expected to be on the slower side, India’s new spin duo of R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja would have a major role to play in the middle overs. “Off to Jamaica now. Next mission ahead, had a lovely time in England,” tweeted all-rounder Jadeja with a picture of his boarding pass.
“On board to Jamaica, with the new speed gun that’s joined us,” said off-spinner Ashwin on his twitter handle with a picture of Shami.

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