Ruthless West Indies set to unleash spin force on reeling India

Ruthless West Indies set to unleash spin force on reeling India

Roston Chase was absent from the West Indies team for their Super 8 match against Zimbabwe, but could return for their upcoming clash with India. "Stay tuned," said captain Shai Hope, refusing to discuss strategy.

The 33-year-old Chase is an accomplished off-spinner, a skill set in high demand against India. In India's last three games, opposition sides opened the bowling with an off-spinner and reaped instant success. Having played all four league games, Chase was sidelined for the first Super 8 contest.

Dropping him for the Zimbabwe game may be a calibrated strategy to not expose him ahead of the high-stakes India encounter. "Got to wait and see… stay tuned," Hope said after his side handed Zimbabwe a 107-run defeat.

Hope did not need Chase against Zimbabwe, as his other spinners delivered. Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie strangled the Zimbabwe batters. "I enjoy bowling in tandem with Motie… We had to make our own assessment and there was a lot of spin for us today," Hosein said after West Indies bowled Zimbabwe out for 147.

Hosein opened the attack after West Indies posted 254/6, finishing with 3/28. "Wankhede is not spin-friendly… It's about picking your battles and understanding what the pitch is offering," he noted.

Motie was more successful, claiming 4/28, including three batters clean bowled. He is now joint-third among the tournament's wicket-takers with 10 wickets. "Motie went home, worked on some skills… He's back and has added to his game. That wrist spinner has been crucial for us," said Hope.

With the bat, Shimron Hetmyer demolished Zimbabwe with an explosive 34-ball 85, including seven fours and seven sixes, earning Player of the Match.

A fitter, leaner Hetmyer could be a major threat for India, alongside the left-arm spin duo of Motie and Hosein, and the potential return of off-spinner Roston Chase.