WI vs IND: 1st ODI Preview – Confident India aims ODI trounce
After comprehensively beating West Indies in the T20I series, Team India now sets off on its ODI conquest in the Caribbean. Just a day’s break between the two series means that both teams have little time to rest. While India ticked most boxes in their 3-0 series win, the hosts failed miserably in a format they’re best suited for. Now as they prepare for the three ODIs ahead, the focus will be on striking the right team balance and finding consistency. After all, they’re up against the red-hot Men in Blue, who will only want to continue their winning streak.
Match info
West Indies vs India, 1st ODI: 8th August, Thursday
Providence Stadium, Guyana (07:00 PM IST)
In the eight matches played at this venue, teams bowling first have won on five occasions.
Weather update
Rain delayed proceedings in the third T20I, but both teams played out the entire allotted overs. Thunderstorms are predicted on the match day, but we’ll have to wait and watch if the weather improves.
Head-to-Head
Played – 127
West Indies wins – 62
India wins – 60
Tied – 2
No result – 3
Team News
West Indies
Standing tall around a crumbling batting unit, Kieron Pollard was the only silver lining to West Indies’ dark cloud in the T20I series. The Windies have been poor starters with the bat for quite some time, and they tried too hard to change it by constantly shuffling the batting order. Despite smashing an impressive 49 in the first game, Pollard was demoted down the order chasing a steep target in the second. He was back to his usual No.4 in the third T20I. But, Sunil Narine’s promotion as an opener in the last two matches did them no good. Shimron Hetmyer too, shuffled across positions, leaving the middle order highly unstable.
A better team in ODIs
The Windies will look to course-correct their blunders in the 50-over format. With Chris Gayle, Roston Chase and Shai Hope back in the mix, the hosts will be a stronger unit than before. With an inspirational captain in Jason Holder, they can pose a serious challenge to the visitors. India cannot afford to take their fiery pace battery lightly.
Player to watch: Shai Hope
India
Rohit Sharma got a well-deserved rest in the third T20I, and the opener will now be fresh for the ODIs. His form should not be a concern for India, but his partner Shikhar Dhawan is in dire need of a comeback knock. India’s persistence with Manish Pandey over Shreyas Iyer in the T20I series raised a few eyebrows. The former barely made a lasting impression, which should pave the way for Iyer in ODIs.
Stage set for emerging stars
Pacer Navdeep Saini had a sensational start to his international career and it will be exciting to watch him bowl in the longer format. With an unbeaten 65 in the final T20I, Rishabh Pant seems to have finally found some rhythm. With no Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya in the setup, it will be an interesting XI for India.
Player to watch: Shikhar Dhawan
Probable XI
West Indies: C Gayle, E Lewis/J Campbell, S Hope (wk), N Pooran, S Hetmyer, R Chase, J Holder, C Brathwaite, F Allen, O Thomas, S Cottrell
India: S Dhawan, R Sharma, V Kohli (c), S Iyer, R Pant (wk), M Pandey/K Jadhav, R Jadeja, K Yadav, B Kumar, N Saini, M Shami
Stat Attack
- Virat Kohli is 88 runs away from completing 2000 ODI runs against West Indies
- Chris Gayle needs 11 more runs to go past Brian Lara for most ODI runs for West Indies
