ODI preview / Ed Hawkins / 10 December 2011 /

Ed Hawkins previews the final one-day international in Chennai on Sunday and he is not expecting a repeat Sehwag blitz

India
With the series wrapped up after a crushing victory in the fourth one-day international India could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas. There is no historic form for a dip - they kept the pedal down against England - however, one gets the sense that the desire is not as prevalent in this series. India were desperate to teach England a lesson in a tetchy series. This has not had an edge.

They could shuffle the pack. Rahul Sharma, the spin bowler, is in line for a game because the Chennai surface could suit him.

Irfan Pathan, the allrounder, could slot in for Ravi jadeja while Suresh Raina's place could be in jeopardy to give game time to either Ajinkhya Rahane or Manoj Tiwary.

West Indies
Darren Bravo remains a fitness doubt. His hamstring injury is taking time to heal. But the Windies probably knew he wouldn't play again on tour so it is not a huge problem. Adrian Barath should replace Danza Hyatt, who has only 62 runs in the series.

Venue and conditions
Thunderstorms are the norm for this time of year in the city formally known as Madras. But thankfuly the forecast is for sun. Out of the four ODIs played at Chepauk this year, three have been won by the side batting first. The average second-innings total in matches that the team chasing lost is 193.

Those with good memories may recall that the sides met at this venue in the World Cup earlier in the year with the tourists bowled out for 188 as they succumbed to defeat. Spinners took six of the ten wickets to fall. Expect Ravi Ashwin, in hs home town, and Sharma to make an impact.

India have won their last two at the Chidambaram Stadium, although the Windies did win there in 2007.

Match odds
West Indies are no doubt thinking of the plane home. They have produced an admirable effort in this series but their lack of star quality meant they were always likely to be on the receiving end of a humiliation at some point. It was a shame because they had been competitive up until running into Virender Sehwag in inspired form in Indore.

No doubt we could make a confident case of a trade at decent odds but a dead rubber and the psycholoical impact of what happened could take its toll.

Still, they are the only option in the match odds market because we just do not get involved in prices as short as India are. They are [1.41].

Top India batsman
All eyes will be on Sehwag, whose return to form was quite extraordinary. He is probably unique in the world game insofar that he can be on a dreadful run and then produce something record-breaking. He is [3.50] for honours. Check his odds for a 50, too, because it may be worth a lay if there is an overreaction. There apears to have been on his top-bat price and that looks worth taking on. By the way, he has never scored back-to-back centuries in ODIs.

Top West Indies batsman
It was good to see Denesh Ramdin making an impact in Indore. A class act for some time, and of sound temperament to boot, Ramdin has perhaps not made the runs he should have done. His 96 from as many balls was pleasing on the eye. He is [5.00] for honours.

Lay Sehwag for top India bat @ [4.00]

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