WI vs IND: 1st ODI Preview – India continue their WC prep mode
After a successful Test series against the West Indies, India will now be gearing up for the next assignment, as they’re set to take on the hosts for three ODIs. The first game of the three-match series will be played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on July 27, Thursday. The hosts will be aiming to make a comeback after losing the Test series.
West Indies will have an uphill task, as the Indian side has some in-form players in the lineup. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli notched up centuries in the Test series and are in formidable form with the bat. With the ball, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pacer Mohammed Siraj will be fired up to carry the same momentum into the white-ball games.
On the other hand, the hosts recalled Shimron Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas for the 50-over games, hoping to overcome their recent heartbreak. West Indies were knocked out of the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers and failed to make their place in the marquee event. As for India, the forthcoming games will help them prepare for the World Cup.
Pitch Conditions
Chasing sides have had an advantage at the Kensington Oval surface. Pacers have an upper hand on this turf, while spinners may also get some assistance. With the track being batter-friendly, the team winning the toss would look to bowl first.
Venue details: Kensington Oval, Barbados
Last Test match at the venue: WI- 301/8 (50 overs) | NZ- 307/5 (47.1 overs)
Probable playing XI for West Indies vs India clash:
West Indies
The hosts have made several additions to their squad so as to put up a strong playing combination in front of India. Shimron Hetmyer’s addition might bring success to the Windies side.
Probable XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Alzarri Joseph
India
The Men in Blue might face trouble putting up an ideal XI. Their aim would be to take a lead in the series before testing their bench strength and hence, India might go ahead with the experienced players.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal
