West Indies vs India – ODI Series Preview

Having comfortably beaten the West Indies 1-0 in the Test series, team India turn their attention to the 50-over format as they begin their preparations for the upcoming home World Cup with a three-match ODI series against the men in Maroon. With the quadrennial tournament less than three months away, Rohit Sharma’s side will be looking to fine-tune their team combinations and finalize their squad as they look to claim their third World Cup crown.

The hosts, on the other hand, have failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup for the first time in their history and could use this series as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and get off to a fresh start in the format. Having won each of their last eight meetings in ODIs, the visitors start the series as major favourites, but with plenty of white-ball talent in their ranks, the West Indies could spring a surprise across the three matches.

Players to watch out for

Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has dominated the T20 circuit over the last few years, rising to the top of the ICC rankings, but the right-hander is yet to translate this form into the 50-over game. Yadav suffered a disappointing outing in his last ODI series, enduring three golden ducks against Australia at home, and will be looking to reverse that terrible run against the West Indies. With KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer still recovering from injury, Yadav will be looking to make his mark in the ODI series against West Indies and stake his claim for a middle-order spot in India’s World Cup side.

Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer makes his return to the West Indies ODI side for the first time since July 2021 for this series and will play a senior role in this team in the absence of experienced players such as Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder. Hetmyer has a fantastic ODI record against India, averaging 45.5 at a strike rate of 121, and will be looking to make an impact on his return to the national side.

Team News

Most of India’s batting order picks itself for this series with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill followed by Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Sanju Samson is likely to be the first-choice wicket-keeper ahead of Ishan Kishan, while Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav should get the nod over Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal as the two spinners.

With Mohammed Siraj rested for the ODI series to manage his workload, the visitors will be fielding a new-look pace attack against the West Indies, with Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, and Mukesh Kumar the favourites to feature.

The hosts, on the other hand, have recalled Shimron Hetmyer and pacers Jayden Seales and Oshane Thomas for the three matches, while senior statesmen such as Holder, Pooran, and Keemo Paul are unavailable.

Probable XI’s

West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Alzarri Joseph, Oshane Thomas, Jayden Seales

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar

Writer’s prediction:

Series Result: India 3-0 West Indies

Top Scorer: Shubman Gill

Highest wicket-taker: Kuldeep Yadav