After losing to India 1-0 in the Test series, West Indies will be looking for a much better outcome as they take on the visitors in a three-match ODI series. Its first match will start at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday.
West Indies have a lot to prove and improve upon this series after they failed to qualify for the World Cup. Shai Hope will lead the hosts in this series as Nicholas Pooran is unavailable for selection. Jason Holder is also unavailable while Keemo Paul is ruled out with injury. West Indies have recalled the talented Shimron Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas to the squad, after both were left out of the white-ball setup for a considerable period of time.
The Caribbean side boasts of an excellent pace bowling battery in Alzarri Joseph, Oshane Thomas, and Jayden Seales. The spin department looks a bit weak, and the lower middle-order doesn't inspire much confidence either. West Indies' strength, going into this contest, will be their top-order batters and pacers.
India, on the other hand, will have Rohit Sharma as captain. They will play with an almost full strength squad. Only the pace bowling department is different, with Mohammed Siraj set to lead the attack, and Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, and Mukesh Kumar set to play the supporting role.
Hardik Pandya, the ace Indian all-rounder, has been appointed as Rohit's deputy. Ravindra Jadeja is the other all-rounder in the squad while Shardul Thakur will also add a lot of depth with his batting ability. But Axar Patel might be preferred over him considering the slow and low nature of the Caribbean wickets. He is also a better batter than Thakur; that will make India's batting lineup a lot stronger. Sanju Samson could be the preferred middle-order batter and wicketkeeper for this series, and he will be featuring for India after a long time. He is an absolute fan favorite and Samson will be eager to make this series count.
Probable Playing XIs
West Indies: Shai Hope (C/wk), Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Alick Athanaze, Rovman Powell, Dominic Drakes, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Oshane Thomas, Yannick Cariah, Kevin Sinclair
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal
Key Players
Shimron Hetmyer: The left-handed middle-order batter has been in breathtaking form in T20 Leagues all around the world over the last couple of years, and he will be looking to carry that form forward into the international arena. He has earned his recall after a long time, and Hetmyer will be looking to make it count.
Virat Kohli: The Indian batting stalwart has been in great form of late. He enjoyed a great IPL season and now he scored a century in the Test series against West Indies as well. He will be looking to carry this form forward into the ODI leg now.
Prediction:
West Indies have a very talented and potent ODI team, but India is far superior in quality, strength and depth. They have years of experience in players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, along with balance in every line. The visitors will start this game as the favorites to win.