Team India is all set to start their campaign for the 3-match T20I series against West Indies on July 22 at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain in Trinidad.
After beating England in England by 2-1, the mighty Indian side will be looking to make the most out it of this tour. However, team India will play this series without their star players like the regular captain Rohit Sharma, veteran Virat Kohli, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and the speedster Jasprit Bumrah.
In the absence of Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side with Ravindra Jadeja as his deputy in the ODI series against West Indies.
West Indies, not a weak team either. Although, their recent 3-0 loss against Bangladesh raised too many questions on teams preparation. And with the even bigger challenge as they have to face India, it will be a tough series for them.
However, they have plenty of reliable players in their team who can turn the game in their side’s favour. It will be interesting to see how they will to see how India and West Indies perform in the first ODI on Friday.
IND Vs WI Playing XI (Predicted):
India XI
Shikhar Dhawan ©, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna
West Indies XI
Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein
Team Combinations
Team India will witness a new opening pair as Rohit Sharma is not part of the squad and it is likely that Ishan Kishan might open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan followed by Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda and Shreyas Iyer while Ravindra Jadeja will handle the all-rounder responsibility for the team.
Mohammed Siraj will lead the Indian fast bowling department with Shardul Thakur while Prasidh Krishna will help them as the third pacer for the side with Yuzvendra Chahal will be an ideal spin choice to use in West Indies conditions.
Shai Hope and Brandon King will lead the openers challenge for West Indies, while the Shamarh Brooks to play at No.3, followed by strong middle order consists of Keacy Carty and Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell. While the batting and bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul will take care of the tough overs if they get the chance.
Alzarri Joseph will a tough bowler to face in initial overs for India. While, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hossain and Gudakesh Motie will be a handy options for West Indies against India.
Key players to watch out for in India versus West Indies 1st ODI
The biggest thread for the West Inside side in the first ODI would be the in-form batters Shikhar Dhawan and Suryakumar Yadav.
India’s dependable batter Deepak Hooda, who missed couple of matches against England as he need to vacant his place for Virat Kohli. Previously, he was given opportunity when Kohli was not available. But most likely he will play and dominate the game. While the Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja can give headache to West Indies in the first ODI.
Shai Hope, Brandon King, skipper Nicholas Pooran and Alzarri Joseph Ali are the strongest players in West Indies side.
