As the India Vs West Indies ODI series approaches, the new Indian team management will feel a bit of pressure after suffering the recent whitewash against South Africa and they would want some results against the visiting Caribbean boys to get some confidence back into the group.
India are still without two of their premier allrounders, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, who give them the balance at no. 7. So, it’s fair to say they will play without their first-choice XI again, even though the captain Rohit Sharma is back.
From the Indian squad that has been picked for India Vs West Indies ODIs, this might be India’s playing XI in the first ODI –
Openers (Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan)
With Rohit Sharma back into the squad, he will take over his opening slot, which was occupied by KL Rahul for the series against South Africa. Although Rahul is not available for the first ODI, he will be slotted in the middle order at his usual position of no. 5 when he returns.
Shikhar Dhawan, with some consistent performances against South Africa, ensured that his opening position is safe, at least for the time being, and with the World Cup not too far away, India will most likely persist with him going forward as well now.
Middle order (Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav)
Virat Kohli might not have scored a hundred in white-ball cricket for a long time, but he is consistently scoring fifties and there is absolutely no chance that the team management will move him anywhere from no. 3. Also, the management seems to have made up their mind that Rishabh Pant is India’s long term no. 4.
There is a bit of uncertainty about the no. 5 and the no. 6 position in the first ODI. If KL Rahul was available for first ODI, he would have batted at 5, but with him not being there, it might go to Suryakumar Yadav, as Shreyas Iyer couldn’t capitalise on his opportunities in South Africa.
Allrounders (Deepak Hooda, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar)
Deepak Hooda has been specifically picked as a batting all-rounder who can bowl a bit of off-spin, apart from being a finisher, and he will most likely get a go straightaway at no. 6. Hooda will be followed in the batting order by Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar at 7 and 8, both of whom displayed in the South Africa series that they are more than handy with the bat.
Bowlers (Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna)
Mohammed Siraj will be an automatic selection in the XI in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and although India has picked three leg spinners in the squad, Yuzvendra Chahal will get the first opportunity as he really bowled well in South Africa without much reward.
Prasidh Krishna will be the first change bowler for India and India will expect some real impetus from him in the middle overs and in the death because of his pace.
