India vs West Indies 2018, First ODI - Toss Report

India won the toss and decided to field first against West Indies in the first One-Day International at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

Here is what the captains said:

Virat Kohli: Surface looks good. There is bit of brown grass and I don’t see this pitch changing so we will bowl first. Our batting order is settled as Rayudu has taken number four spot. We don’t need to ponder one much. Rishabh Pant makes his debut. We have three fast bowlers. Chahal, the wrist spinner and Jadeja to give us balance.

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Jason Holder: I won’t mind batting first on this pitch. We have two debutants in the team today. Hemraj will open the batting and Oshane Thomas comes in fast bowling department.

Preview:

With only 18 games left before the 2019 World Cup, every game now holds a lot of importance for India as they look to cover all the bases.  A series against a depleted West Indies side might not be the best preparation but it a good performance against them will surely boost the players’ confidence. Rishabh Pant is making his ODI and a good outfit against the Caribbean outfit will do a world of good to his confidence.

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On the other hand, Jason Holder would be desperately hoping that his inexperienced players put up a good challenge in a country where West Indies have not won a series since 2002. In the absence of the likes of Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Bravo brothers, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, the series is expected to be a cakewalk for India.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, K Khaleel Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal

West Indies (Playing XI): Kieran Powell, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Marlon Samuels, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder(c), Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas

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