India vs West Indies: India’s strongest predicted playing XI for 2nd ODI

Team India will look to seal the deal as they taken on West Indies in the second ODI of the three-match series. The encounter takes place on Wednesday (February 9) at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Having won the opening ODI by six wickets, the Men in Blue would be pretty pleased with their performance and won’t mind replicating their heroics in the second game.

It must be noted that the Indian camp was hit by COVID-19 ahead of the series with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad testing positive. However, the unavailability of these names didn’t trouble the hosts by any means in the opening game. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s men shouldn’t get complacent as West Indies have several match-winners in the ranks.

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

Openers –Rohit Sharma (C) and KL Rahul

With vice-captain KL Rahul being available for this fixture, Ishan Kishan, who scored 28 in the opening game, has to sit out. Rahul was India’s captain during the side’s 0-3 defeat in the ODI series against South Africa last month. However, the dasher is well versed with these conditions and is expected to do well in second game.

Standing in his maiden ODI as full-time captain, Rohit Sharma made a quick-fire half-century and marked the start of a new era in Indian cricket. Although the opener was impressive during his 60-run knock in the first game, he’s known for getting big hundreds. The Caribbean bowlers must be aware of the same.

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

Former captain and number-three batter Virat Kohli came out to bat with intent in the first game. He smashed two boundaries in his first three deliveries but perished in the fourth one. Hence, he would like to put up a better show in the second game. The case was pretty similar for Rishabh Pant.

He also started off positively but a gaffe while running between the wickets ended his innings at 11. Not to forget, Pant was pretty clinical with his glove-work and took three catches. Hence, there’s no harm to his place in the team. Suryakumar Yadav enjoyed an impressive outing as he scored an unbeaten 34 to take his side over the line. He has hardly done anything wrong in his ODI career so far.

All-rounders – Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar

India’s search for a batting all-rounder in white-ball cricket might just end at Deepak Hooda. Although the dasher didn’t get to bowl in the previous clash, he played a fine knock of debut. India had lost a couple of quick wickets when Hooda came out bat. The dasher showcased no signs of nervousness and scored an unbeaten 26 off 32 balls.

As far as Washington Sundar is concerned, the off-spinner made the ball talk and took a match-winning three-wicket haul. In Ravindra Jadeja’s absence, the youngster seems determined to stake a claim in the first-choice XI.

Bowlers- Shardul Thakur/Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Many eyebrows were raised when Shardul Thakur got a nod ahead of Deepak Chahar in the opening game. The latter showcased his all-round brilliance in the third ODI against South Africa last month. As Thakur went wicket-less and gave away 38 runs in seven overs, the team management might consider including Deepak Chahar.

Speaking of the other pacers, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were impressive, taking one and two wickets apiece. Hence, Avesh Khan’s wait for a maiden Team India cap is set to extend. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was at his best in the first game and took a match-winning four-wicket haul. He was also adjudged the Player of the Match.

India’s predicted XI for the second ODI against West Indies: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur/Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna