An one-off T20 match between India A and West Indies A. What can it really offer? Nothing but pure entertainment for the spectators, who have surprisingly turned out in large numbers at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium here, where three unofficial one-dayers have been played over the last six days.
Although the selectors Vikram Rathore and Roger Binny have been around watching the players in action, this 40 overs can hardly be a test of talent and character for players on the brink of national call-up and in some cases like that of skipper Yuvraj Singh, a recall.
Having said that, this standalone contest can, if not anything, help the Men In Blue salvage some pride after their woeful performance in the last two one-dayers, which saw them plunge to a 2-1 series defeat.
With the squad for the Australia series to be named in less than two weeks, the players will be keen to cash in on every opportunity that comes their way.
With Mandeep Singh out of reckoning due to a fractured finger, the impressive Baba Aparajith who struck a 78 in the third encounter may come in with Robin Uthappa to open the innings.
Uthappa who has only mustered 60 runs in the last three innings will look to shake off his rustiness and get back into the groove, like he did against New Zealand A earlier in the month.
The biggest concern for Yuvraj will be his bowlers. Barring Jaydev Unadkat’s five-wicket blitz on Thursday, the West Indies top and middle order have been taking turns to slam the Indian attack all around the park, piling up 591 runs in the last two one-matches.
R. Vinay Kumar, who went on India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July but spent most of his time on the bench, may not get a look-in to do even that if he doesn’t get his act together.
While Yuvraj will hope to continue his run-affair with good knocks, for Yusuf Pathan, this contest will offer a glimmer of a hope to prove he’s still one of the best all-rounders, at least in the shorter variety.
The West Indies on the other side, will look to party in their inimitable Caribbean style with their confidence on a high and determination to rock the Indian attack yet again.