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Home disadvantage Wisden CricInfo staff - November 5, 2002
West Indies go into the seven-match one-day series as clear underdogs, but what might give them some heart in the opener at Jamshedpur is their own record, and that of their opponents, at this venue. In six matches, India have lost four times and won just once (one match, against Australia in 1984-85, was washed out), while West Indies thrashed India by 104 runs the only time they played here. Viv Richards will have especially fond memories of that match – he smashed 149 from 99 balls in a rollicking 221-run second-wicket stand with Gordon Greenidge (115 from 134 balls), as West Indies amassed 333 from 45 overs. Sunil Gavaskar led India's reply, hitting three sixes in an uncharacteristically attacking 83 from 107 balls, but India never had a chance. That match also produced 13 sixes – eight of them courtesy of Richards and Greenidge. Recently, Jamshedpur hasn't produced quite as spectacular a run-glut, though – teams batting first haven't topped 250 in the last three outings. South Africa managed only 199 in the last one-day international at this venue, in 1999-2000, which India overhauled comfortably. That victory was India's first in six attempts at the Keenan, after earlier defeats against Pakistan, England and New Zealand, apart from the hammering against West Indies. A win-loss ratio of 25% makes Jamshedpur the least favourite home venue for India, and second only to the Gabba among all venues where they have played at least five one-dayers (click here for full list of venues). That gives more reason for West Indies to fancy an upset. Unlike most venues in the subcontinent, bowling first is the preferred option here after winning the toss. Five times out of seven, captains calling correctly have inserted the opposition. That trend has been bucked in the last two matches, though, with varying results. Pakistan squeaked home by nine runs after opting to bat against Sri Lanka in a Pepsi Cup match in 1998-99, while Hansie Cronje's decision to bat boomeranged against India. Overall, four out of six matches have been won by the team chasing. Seamers have been far more effective than spinners at Jamshedpur. Of the 68 wickets taken by bowlers, seamers have accounted for 50 at 29.94, with an economy rate of 4.96 runs per over. Spinners have been marginally more expensive (economy rate 5.08), but each wicket has cost them 57.83 runs. Anil Kumble's three matches here have fetched him meagre returns of 1 for 99 from 24 overs. S Rajesh is sub editor of Wisden.com in India.
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