Prolific middle-order batsman VVS Laxman has been dropped for the third one-day international against West Indies at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday. Laxman was India's highest run-getter in the recent five-Test series against West Indies, scoring 474 in eight innings including a century and four fifties. "It was really a tough decision to drop Laxman for the one-dayers, but it was necessary for the balance of the team," India captain Sourav Ganguly said. Laxman, who has scored 857 runs in 37 one-dayers, has been replaced by Mohammad Kaif, one of the five players to join the team after the Test series.

"I think Kaif deserves a chance as he has been batting very well in one-day matches. He's also a very good fielder," said Ganguly. The 21-year-old Kaif has so far made 249 runs in eight matches with two half-centuries.

India sprang one more surprise, omitting specialist wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra to strengthen their batting. "Rahul Dravid will keep wicket," said Ganguly. "I'm sure Dravid will do a good job as he has kept wicket before. It'll also give us more options."

India go into the match with seven specialist batsmen, three fast bowlers and one spinner. Paceman Tinu Yohannan will make his one-day debut as he has been named in the XI in place of left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra.

"Tinu needs an opportunity in the one-dayers as he has been bowling well in the nets," said Ganguly. Yohannan has played just one tour match in the last two months, finishing with 3 for 84 against Busta XI at St Lucia.

West Indies captain Carl Hooper also indicated that he would strengthen the batting line-up for the match. "We want to bat as deep as possible because one-dayers are a batsmen's game," said Hooper, who played with four fast bowlers in the last four Tests.

"I don't think we'll go into the match with four pacemen. I think this wicket looks good, so we'll have to strengthen our batting. India have a strong batting line-up. They've an outstanding pair of openers in Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly. We've to make plans to get them out early. They also have good youngsters in Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh," he said.

Hooper said he hoped his fast bowlers would continue to do a good job after having served the team well in the Test series. "Our fast bowlers bowled well in the Test series and I hope they deliver in the one-dayers also," he said.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd