For India, last chance to fine-tune

His gingerly walk due to a swelling on his right knee — caused by an allergic reaction — didn’t stop Virender Sehwag from padding up first for the net session, let alone blasting away at anything that was within his reach. Sehwag may or may not play the Chennai game against the West Indies, but India can afford to let the opener have a good rest on Sunday, as the squad made it to the knock-out stages a day before the West Indies match, thanks to a result in Mirpur. 

Team India walked into the MA Chidambaram Stadium for practice on Saturday afternoon, not completely unaware that Bangladesh had begun to wobble during their chase in a do-or-die game. And by the time the nets session was finished in the evening, Bangladesh were crushed by 206 runs, and India made it to the quarters. 

Plenty of flaws


However, Sunday’s encounter against the West Indies will not be an inconsequential game for Team India as there are plenty of flaws to iron out. R Ashwin and Suresh Raina’s much-delayed World Cup debuts have been the talking point in the lead-up to the game, and their performances could change India’s starting XI composition in the knock-outs.