India vs West Indies 2019: 1st ODI, Chennai – West Indies’ Predicted Playing XI

Following their second consecutive T20I series defeat against India this year, West Indies will look to bounce back in the ODI format. There are few changes in their ODI squad as compared to the T20Is. The visitors will be bolstered by the comeback of Shai Hope and Roston Chase, who has been team’s star performer in this format. Hope will open the innings in the ODIs while all-rounder Chase will bat in the middle-order.

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Opening the inning with Hope will be Evin Lewis, who is expected to be fit for the series-opener. Lewis did not bat in the third T20I due to the knee issue which he suffered while taking a catch at Wankhede Stadium. Following them in the batting-order will be Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and Chase. Pooran had made a strong comeback in the second T20I with an innings of 38* but could not open his account in the third T20I.

Captain Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder will provide much-needed solidity in between. Holder also bowls his full 10 overs while Pollard might bowl just a few overs on a slow Chennai pitch.

Hayden Walsh, who impressed in the T20I series, is expected to retain his spot in ODIs as well. Sheldon Cottrell and Alzarri Joseph are all but set to included in the playing XI. All-rounder Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd are expected to vie for that one remaining spot in the playing XI and the former is expected to get preference due to his all-round abilities.

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Shepherd, along with Sunil Ambris, Brandon King and Khary Pierre are expected to sit out for the opening ODI of the series.

As for India, Shardul Thakur, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s replacement, might miss out on a place in the playing XI due to slow nature of Chennai pitch. Mayank Agarwal, an uncapped player in white-ball cricket, might also miss out as KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Rohit Sharma.

West Indies likely playing XI: Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph