WI v IND: 1st ODI - India tipped to start the series on a winning note

After winning the three-match T20I series by 3-0, India will face the Windies in the first of the three One-Day Internationals on Thursday. This is the first ODI series for both the sides after the World Cup in England and both the teams will be eager to start the series on a winning note. Jason Holder returns at the helm to lead the Caribbean side and even the legendary Chris Gayle is expected to hang his boots after this series.

For India too, some of the players have joined the squads while the T20 specialists have left the Caribbean island. Shreyas Iyer was the only player in the T20I series who didn’t get a chance and it will be interesting to see if he will be slotted at the number four position straightaway. The bowling attack of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami along with Navdeep Saini and Khaleel Ahmed.

Match Details:

The first ODI of the three-match series between Windies and India will be played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

The match starts at 9:30 AM local time (7:00 PM IST) (1:30 PM GMT). This game will be live on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 3 in India.

Live streaming will be available on Sony LIV.

Weather Report

The forecast is not so promising in Guyana and it is expected to rain during the match. There is a 50% chance of the heavens opening up the whole day. The temperature will hover around 27-29 Degrees Celsius and poor light may also come into the picture in the evening.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The pitches for the One-Day Internationals have generally been on the slower side in West Indies. If the conditions remain overcast and it rains ahead of the match, the surface will have something in it for the pacers. Having said that, the teams are expected to win the toss and opt to bat given the record at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Average first innings score: 233 (In 21 ODI matches at the venue)

Record of the chasing teams: Won – 8; Lost – 13

Probable XIs

Windies

Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis/John Campbell, Shai Hope (WK), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Bench – Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Evin Lewis/John Campbell.

India

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer/Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed/Navdeep Saini.

Bench – Shreyas Iyer/Manish Pandey, Khaleel Ahmed/Navdeep Saini, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal.

Team News

(Will be updated when there’s an update)

Top Picks

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were the top scorers for India in the World Cup and both of them might continue enjoying their time in the middle in this series as well.

Chris Gayle is probably playing his last series and he will be itching to hang his boots with a memorable knock.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan

Vice-Captain Options: Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Chris Gayle

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope

Batsmen – Rohit Sharma, John Campbell, Virat Kohli (C)

All-Rounders – Ravindra Jadeja, Jason Holder (VC)

Bowlers – Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell.

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope

Batsmen – Shikhar Dhawan (C), Chris Gayle (VC), Virat Kohli

All-Rounders – Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jason Holder

Bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Expert Advice

Rishabh Pant is in good form and has a very good chance of the team backing him at four or five. In case, India’s top order fails, he could be lethal.

Jason Holder picks up two wickets almost every game and will bat seven which makes him a decent option to make captain as well.

Probable Winners

India are expected to start the series on a winning note and take a 1-0 lead.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.