(Info4now, February 4, 2022)- West Indies land on India with two major mindsets before IND vs WI 1st ODI starts at Motera on Sunday—one they have to face a champion side in limited over cricket and the other is the current form of India as a team. With a crackerjack home series against a stiff English side, they somehow manage a good combination in two departments. Left arm orthodox Akeal Hosein and a few top order batsmen must be hoping to give good fight on a comparatively soft soil in Ahmedabad.
For India, it’s a new start. Rohit Sharma to lead in the ODI series and have to do well with the bat also. With an unexpected outcome against South Africa in the limited over series, they have to reclaim their position as early as possible. India have to adapt to the ODI condition. It’s tough to calculate in between a Test match and a T20 game. But it’s not only the T20 World Cup in Australia this year to take into account, but also the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2023.
Preview: IND vs WI 1st ODI, Ahmedabad
Jason Holder is the giant all-rounder in world cricket and someone who off and on slips a bit on account of the team’s performance. But it’s the England series that was just amazing for both this super giant and Team West Indies. A four ball four wicket just snatched the trophy from England. He is the key for West Indies. Kemar Roach back in the side will probably make the playing XI as the strike bowler for the visitors. Akeal Hosein is going to become one to have a close look. India are a right-hand dominating side and the left arm orthodox can make magic with the arm.
In batting, it’s conventionally very deep down the order. Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd are the young players who will try to compensate for the absence of Shimron Hetmyer and Evin Lewis. Down the order Jason Holder and Akeal Hosein can bat with enough commitment.
A Covid-hit Team India
India to set the best XI excluding the covid-hit players. Rohit Sharma and K.L.Rahul to open the innings. Virat Kohli will be back as a batsman and must design the No. 3 spot in his style. Either Mayank Agarwal or Rituraj Gaikwad to step into the fourth spot in place of Shreyas Iyer. India still to find a top class all-rounder who can balance in the middle. On Indian soil it must be a batting all-rounder who possesses a good arm to spin the ball. No one there. Washington Sundar might be considered as one like that.
To Conclude
Bowling is a problem for Rohit Sharma. Being an experienced campaigner in the side, he must try to make the most of the available players. Md Siraj will probably lead the seam attack, while it’s all Chahal in the spin department. Kieron Pollard knows Indian soil well and he has a fine combination of right and left in batting. It’s going to be a fine contest between two most successful campaigners of the Indian Premier League as they to walk for the toss in IND vs WI 1st ODI.
Squads: West Indies tour of India 2022
India- Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mayank Agarwal, Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant(wk), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Avesh Khan
West Indies- Kieron Pollard (C), Fabian Allen, Shai Hope(wk), Nkrumah Bonner, Darren, Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran(wk), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith and Hayden Walsh Jr.