Last Updated on 4 years ago by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: India possible playing XI for 1st ODI vs WI | Possible playing XI for India in ODI vs WI
India will begin their Caribbean tour with the first game of their three-match One Day International (ODI) series at the Queen’s Park Oval on Friday. Shikhar Dhawan will be leading the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma as several experiments are expected in the playing XI.
Most teams are directing their focus on T20Is with the 2022 T20 World Cup fast approaching. However, the ODI World Cup is due to be held in India next year and hence equal focus must be laid on the 50-over format simultaneously. The series provides India an opportunity to test their bench strength against the Nicholas Pooran-led West Indian unit.
India possible playing XI for first ODI vs WI
Cricblog takes a look at the possible Indian playing XI in the first ODI against WI.
1. Shikhar Dhawan (C)
Dhawan averages 32.46 at a strike rate of 87.83 in 28 ODIs vs West Indies, including five half-centuries and a couple of centuries.
However, his record in the Caribbean is rather uninspiring as he has notched 403 runs at only an average of 25.19 in 17 ODIs. The southpaw will have to assume additional responsibility with leadership duties in this series. However, his batting form will be under equal scanner as well.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad
The team management seems to have substantial trust in Ruturaj Gaikwad and the 25-year-old could very well open the innings with Dhawan in the coming series. Tracks in the Caribbean tend to slow down over the course of an ODI innings and Gaikwad seems to possess the appropriate skillsets to excel in those conditions.
3. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has hardly let go off an opportunity in international cricket and he will be eagerly looking to optimise his chances in this series. Iyer has nine half-centuries and a century to his name in 24 ODI innings.
He has an average of 57.67 with a strike rate of 99.71 against the West Indies in ODIs. The 27-year-old has notched five half-centuries in six innings against the Men from Caribbean and will be looking to further this run of form in this series.
4. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is likely to don Rishabh Pant’s role in the middle-order in the latter’s absence. The Mumbai Indians (MI) star hasn’t had much of an opportunity in ODI cricket so far.
However, he averages 36.62 with a strike rate 92.20 in 77 List A innings. He has scored four centuries and 13 half-centuries in his List A career so far and his proficiency against spinners makes him the ideal fit for the middle-order.
5. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav will be marshalling the middle-order in this setup. He is coming on the back of a remarkable century in the recent third T20I vs England. The 31-year-old will be looking to cement his spot in the playing XI in the run-up to the ODI World Cup next year.
6. Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda could be tasked with finishing duties in this particular squad. He averages 38.53 with a strike rate of 93.86 across 76 List A matches. Hooda has donned a variety of roles in recent games for the Indian side but paucity of top-order opportunities might force him down the order at least for this series.
7. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja will continue to hold the crucial number seven slot in the team. He particularly stars with the ball against the Windies as Jadeja has scalped 41 wickets in 29 ODIs at an average of 29.88 vs them. The all-rounder will have to take up greater batting responsibilities in the presence of a relatively inexperienced line-up as well.
8. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur adds both batting depth as well as an innate wicket-taking ability in the playing XI. He will be brought into the attack particularly in the middle-overs and India will look to benefit from his incredible ability to provide timely breakthroughs.
9. Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna debuted in style against the West Indies earlier this year and the fast-bowler has picked 20 wickets in 10 ODI matches already. His height will enable him to extract some additional bounce off the Caribbean tracks. Dhawan will surely bank on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer to fetch some dismissals specifically with the new ball.
10. Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal seems to have gotten back to his imperious best ever since the recently-concluded campaign of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The leg-spinner has taken 13 wickets at a bowling average of 25 and 29.46 in seven ODIs against the West Indies. The 31-year-old is likely to cause troubles to the Caribbean batsmen in tandem with Jadeja in the middle-overs.
11. Arshdeep Singh
The management seems to have taken a liking for Arshdeep Singh’s incredible ability to bowl well in the tough overs. He comes in with the tricky left-arm angle as well and has particularly shown calibre to contain the flow of runs in the death overs. One can expect him to be given a fair chance in the next three ODIs at least.
