West Indies VS India, 1st ODI

 

India will want to better their uninspiring record in this format. © AFP 

The Picture

A  massive feat is set to be achieved come Sunday, as India play their 1000th ODI, becoming the first team to reach that landmark. Their record of late hasn't been great and their lacklustre performance in the one dayers in South Africa where they were whitewashed, has taken the sheen of a team that has rather been a juggernaut in all the formats of the game. The last series has brought into focus a lot of issues plaguing the hosts and they will have to set things right soon as a Worldcup is fast approaching. They will take on the West Indies and have already have copped a blow with three of their players (Dhawan, Gaikwad and Shreyas) testing covid positive. In their anguish of not being able to pick wickets in the middle overs, they have reunited KulCha one each of Kuldeep and Chahal, their most prolific pair since the conclusion of the 2017 champions trophy. They have also called up Deepak Hooda into the squad to add balance, even as Washington Sundar makes his way back in after missing the majority of last year due to injury and covid. West Indies their opponents on the other hand haven't fared any better in the format. In their last ODI series, they were left shellshocked as Ireland trounced them 2-1 in their very own backyard. Albeit in different formats, the class of the young Caribbean team was visible in their 3-2 victory against England in the T20 series that followed hot on the heels of the Ireland series. Although the hosts will miss Lewis and Hetmyer, who are out due to injury and fitness issues respectively, their squad is talented and filled with a lot of batting firepower. The main issue that has plagued them has been that their batsmen haven't dug in for long and Pollard will want his men to bat the full 50 overs and put something meaningful on the board. With India also struggling to pick up wickets (14 South African wickets being what they managed in 3 matches), this series would be a tussle between India's bowling and the Windies' batting and that makes this a fair contest. With an IPL auction just round the corner, all the players will want to show what they are capable of to catch the eye of the teams when they are all set to go under the hammer. Get set for a thrilling series.

When:  6 February 2022, Sunday

Time:   1:30 P.M (IST)

Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Team News

West Indies

Shai Hope is likely to open with Brandon King who had a good CPL. The returning Darren Bravo is expected to feature in at 3 and Kemar Roach will slot right back into the eleven after last playing an ODI more than 2 years ago. Fabian Allen and Akeal Hosein will be fighting for a single spot to accompany the legspinner Hayden Walsh Jr. One of Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph will take the final spot in the team.

Probable XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh, Akeal Hosein/ Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph/ Romario Shepherd/ Odean Smith

India

Kishan will open alongside Rohit, with Mayank still required to finish his mandatory quarantine stint. Kuldeep Yadav should finally reunite with his long lost twin Yuzvendra Chahal and the team management will have to take a call on whom to play out of Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar for the allrounder's role. 

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda/ Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar/ Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Pitch and Playing Conditions

The ground has 11 pitches, 5 black soil based and 6 red soil based. The pitches favoured the batsmen when the English series was played last year, but when there was some grass left, the bowlers got some help as well with the big boundaries helping them restrict the opposition power hitters. Dew could play a role as the game goes on and the weather is expected to be pleasant throughout the length of the game.

Interesting Facts

• Since the start of 2020, India's ODI record of 15 played, 5 won and 10 lost doesn't make for good reading.

• In the Worldcup Super League table, India are in the eighth spot, a spot below their opponents the West Indies.