Bring out the whiteOu ball. After a 1-0 win in the rain-affected two Test series, India go in as favourites in the three match ODI series against the West Indies, which begins in Barbados from 7 pm IST on Thursday, July 27. (Live on FanCode and JioCinema and, if it’s a free cable network, on DD Sports). (More Cricket News)
The second and third games will be held on July 29 and August 1, respectively.
Suryakumar Yadav will be determined to better his 50-over reputation. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson will likely compete for the wicketkeeper's position.
The series marks the unofficial start of India’s preparation for the Asia Cup in August-September and then the World Cup in October-November. It is therefore a valuable chance for the likes of Yadav, Kishan, Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal and Umran Malik to prove themselves.
SKY, a phenomenon in T20 cricket, has not found the same success in the 50-over format. This is his opportunity to establish himself as a contender for the all important No. 4 position. Morse so as there is a question mark over the fitness of Shreyas Iyer.
Among wicketkeepers, K L Rahul, who is recuperating after a thigh surgery, is likely to be the first choice keeper. But Kishan and Samson have the second wicketkeeper’s spot to fight for. Rishabh Pant, who hurt himself severely in a car crash, might not heal in time for the World Cup. Samson, often luckless in matters of selection, will want to consolidate on his enviable batting average of 66 from 11 ODIs.
In the opening ODI, Kishan, who made his Test debut on the tour, is the favourite to be the wicketkeeper. That will leave Samson and Suryakumar to strive for a middle order position.
Expect Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to open the innings.
On the bowling side of things, the in-form Mohammed Siraj leads the attack, with Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar and all-rounder Shardul Thakur as support options. Among spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal, who has seen his prominence fade a bit, will be keen to show what he can still do with his wrist spin.
The hosts are still smarting under their failure to qualify for the World Cup. But Shimron Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas are back in the West Indies side. That gives home fans something to look forward to.
Teams (From):
West Indies: Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas.
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.
