Team India’s next tour to the Caribbean is all set to start on 22nd July. The team will play the three-match ODI and five-match T20 series in the white ball tour. The series which is not a World Cup Super League will have an interesting role as both teams will test their young players.
India has rested Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah after winning both white-ball series in England, while KL Rahul is still recovering from hernia surgery. As a result, several of their backup players will be playing under acting captain Shikhar Dhawan.
On the other hand, West Indies has one of the poorest win-loss records in ODI cricket this year and is now on a six-match losing skid in the format. Their captain Nicholas Pooran and coach Phil Simmons have urged their players to ensure they bat out the whole 50 overs, something they have recently struggled with.
India vs West Indies: Things to watch out for
It will be intriguing to see who opens with Dhawan in the opener of the series. The team has welcomed back Shubman Gill. He and Dhawan have a left-to-right combo. Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also in the squad and can open with the skipper.
It will also be interesting to see who will be there in the middle in absence of Virat and Pant. The in-form Deepak Hooda is expected to bat at number 4 with Suryakumar Yadav at number 5 or 6. There will be a choice between Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson as to who will feature at number 3.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja are both expected to play in all three games because this particular pitch favors spinners.
Arshdeep could make his debut as he was spotted in the nets on Thursday. In absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and M Shami the two frontline pacers, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammad Siraj, are anticipated to start.
India vs West Indies: Both Teams Probable Playing XI
INDIA: Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad/Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan/Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj
WEST INDIA: Shai Hope (wk), Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran (capt), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales
India vs West Indies: What to Expect?
For the ODI Series, India has sent a squad packed of young players who are eager to prove themselves. The Shikhar Dhawan-led squad will still start as overwhelming favorites to beat the home team. Recently, Bangladesh whitewashed the West Indies. They have lost their last six games. Additionally, since 2019, they have lost nine out of the thirteen ODI series. On the other hand, India has won their last 2 series in two years. In light of everything, India is a clear favorite for the first ODI on Friday.
