India vs Windies, 1st ODI: Dream11 Fantasy Tips

After a completely one-sided Test series, India and Windies will clash in the first of the five-match ODI series in Guwahati on Sunday. The Caribbean side is expected to put up a decent show despite the fact that their regular openers Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis have withdrawn from the series. But they still have the firepower to push a formidable Indian team. However, the hosts are also playing their near full strength team and clearly are the favourites to brush aside the opponents.

Virat Kohli is back to lead the side after taking the much-needed break during the Asia Cup and will be batting at number three in the series. India’s batting is bolstered with his return while Ambati Rayudu will be given an opportunity to nail down his name on the number four position. Windies, on the other hand, have to find an all-new opening combination in this series and just hope that it clicks. The likes of Marlon Samuels and captain Jason Holder should play consistently well to keep them in the hunt during the series.

Match Details:

The game between India and Windies will be played on October 21 at the Barasapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This is the first One-Day International at the venue and has hosted only a solitary T20I before which India lost.

The match starts at 1:30 PM Local Time (8:00 AM GMT) (1:30 PM IST).

Recent Form

Results of India’s last five completed ODIs – W, W, W, T, W.

Results of Windies’ last five completed ODIs – W, L, L, W, L.

Pitch Condition/Report:

Having hosted only one game and that too a T20 International, there is not much clarity on how the pitch will behave in Guwahati. India were bundled out for a mere 118 in that game against Australia. For starters, though it is expected to be a flat deck. However, dew can play its part in the evening while the ball will come nicely on the bat under lights.

Squads:

India: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, K Khaleel Ahmed, Lokesh Rahul, Umesh Yadav.

Windies: Jason Holder (C), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Fabian Allen, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Oshane Thomas, Obed McCoy, Kieran Powell.

Probable XI:

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav.

Windies: Kieran Powell, Shai Hope (wk), Marlon Samuels, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sunil Ambris, Jason Holder (C), Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Keemo Paul/Oshane Thomas, Devendra Bishoo.

Power Picks:

India’s top three Rohit, Dhawan and Kohli should definitely be the part of any fantasy team given that more often than not the trio dominates the proceedings in an ODI. Also, the spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will play a major role as the visitors struggled completely in the whites against the former. As far as the Windies players are concerned, Shai Hope and Jason Holder are must in the team. Even Samuels could be a good option who has a decent record in Asia with the bat.

Best Playing XI:

Shai Hope, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Rohit, Dhawan, Virat, Kuldeep and Holder are ideal choices for Captain and Vice-Captain of the fantasy team. It will be better to keep one of India’s opener as the captain as they will pummel runs if the hosts bat first. Shai Hope could be the surprise package in the game as he is the highest run-getter for the visitors since World Cup 2015 in the ODIs.

Expert Advice:

India announced their 12-man squad so there is no point in thinking about the other three players. Rishabh Pant is certain to make his debut but he will bat at number five or lower. Ambati Rayudu could be picked in the team in case the top-order crumbles (chances of that happening are grim though). Marlon Samuels is another interesting pick but then Holder can’t be accommodated in the Fantasy team which is risky.

Probable Winners:

Hands down, India are the favourites to win the series forget about this match. They have enough firepower in their kitty to catch Windies off-guard. But the Caribbean side is known to dish out surprises and have taken down big teams in the past. They will also be happy with the fact that the home team was humbled by Australia in their previous game at the same venue albeit in a T20I.

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