India vs West Indies: India’s strongest predicted playing XI for 1st ODI

Team India will have a point to prove as they take on West Indies in a three-match ODI series, starting from Sunday (February 6) at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Having suffered a 0-3 whitewash in the preceding ODI assignment against South Africa, the Men in Blue would like to produce a better show against the Men in Maroon.

Notably, the opening game will mark history as India is set to become the first very team to feature in 1000 ODIs. Rohit Sharma’s men would like to make the occasion even more special with an emphatic win. However, they have a stern task at hand with many first-choice players being unavailable after contracting the COVID-19 virus. Hence, selecting a formidable playing XI would be the home team’s primary challenge.

Here is India’s predicted playing for first ODI against West Indies:

Openers –Rohit Sharma (C) and Mayank Agarwal

With the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad being unavailable after contracting COVID-19, Mayank Agarwal was added to the squad and he’ll open the innings alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. Notably, this would be Rohit’s maiden assignment as full-time ODI skipper and many eyes will be on him. Not to forget, he’s also coming back from an injury.

As far as Mayank is concerned, he’s a veteran of just five ODIs and has a great chance to make a mark. The right-handed batter has been doing well in IPL in the last couple of years and the same made Punjab Kings retain him ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction. Hence, he’s a proven star in white-ball cricket.

Middle-order – Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav

Shreyas Iyer is also unavailable after contracting COVID-19 but India isn’t short of options in the middle-order. Needless to mention, former captain Virat Kohli will walk out to bat at number three and he would be determined to make his bat talk. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant batted at number four against South Africa and the southpaw is likely to continue at this position.

The number-five slot will be occupied by Suryakumar Yadav. The right-handed batter has made a staggering start to his international career and expectations are high from him. Yadav can anchor the innings in the middle overs alongside maintaining a healthy scoring rate.

All-rounders – Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar

The opening game is likely to see Deepak Hooda’s much-awaited ODI debut. The dasher has been impressive in domestic cricket lately and would like to do well in international colours as well. Alongside playing impact knocks, Hooda can also chip in with his handy off-spins, giving India a sixth-bowling option.

Washington Sundar, who made his sole ODI appearance in 2017, is set to take the number seven slot. The off-spinner can restrict the run-flow even on the flattest of tracks. Three fifties in four Tests also speak volumes of his batting capabilities.

Bowlers- Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Having scored two fifties in six ODI appearances so far, Deepak Chahar has certainly shown his all-round skills at the highest level. However, the right-arm pacer still has a long way to go. Chahar bowled a brilliant spell in the third ODI against South Africa before scoring a quick-fire half-century.  This should be enough for him to pip Shardul Thakur.

Mohammed Siraj has recovered from the injury and will spearhead the bowling attack. The speedster can set the speed gun on fire and can take early wickets. The same is the case for Prasidh Krishna, who can take wickets at any stage of the game. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was far from impressive against South Africa. However, at least for the first game, he would be selected ahead of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi.

India’s XI for the first ODI against West Indies: Rohit Sharma (C), Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna