IND vs WI: Match Preview, India vs West Indies 2022- India vs West Indies 1st ODI

After enduring a disappointing tour of South Africa, team India are set to square up against West Indies for a white-ball series at home, comprising of three ODIs and three T20 internationals.

The series will begin with the first ODI, scheduled to be held on 6^th February at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Heading into the first game, here’s a look in detail at the squads of both sides.

IND vs WI: Match Preview, India vs West Indies 2022- India vs West Indies 1st ODI

India:

India wouldn’t be too pleased with how they performed in their last ODI series in South Africa. They were blanked 3-0 under the leadership of KL Rahul.

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Nevertheless, the good thing is that India’s newly-appointed full-time captain, Rohit Sharma has recovered from the hamstring injury and he will lead the side in both ODIs and T20Is against West India. Vice-captain, KL Rahul isn’t available for the first ODI due to personal reasons.

His absence will open the door for a player to bat in the middle-order, at least for the first ODI. One more name who would be missing in the middle-order for the first game is Shreyas Iyer. As per recent reports, he has returned with a positive Covid-19 result in the latest round of testing. Along with him, Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Navdeep Saini have also tested positive.

All the players are currently in isolation and won’t be available at least for the first ODI. Ishan Kishan has been added to the squad and he is most likely to open alongside Rohit Sharma. In the middle-order, Suryakumar Yadav should make the cut along with Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

Deepak Hooda is a surprise inclusion in the squad and one shouldn’t get surprised if he too makes it into the playing XI for the first ODI. As far as bowling is concerned, Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar, and Prasidh Krisha should form a lethal pace attack. For the unversed, both Jasprit Burmah and M Shami have been rested for the ODI series.

West Indies:

West Indies on the other hand would ride on confidence as they head into the ODI series against India. They are coming into the series on the back of a T20 series win against a formidable England side. Their last ODI series though resulted in a 2-1 defeat against Ireland at home.

West Indies must have addressed the things that went wrong during that series and will look to put on a solid performance against India. During the series against Ireland, West Indies couldn’t pick early wickets in the powerplay and to address that issue, they have added Kemar Roach into the team.

Roach hasn’t played ODI cricket for West Indies for a very long time. He will be sharing the fast bowling duties alongside the likes of Jason Holder, Odean Smith and Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph.

As for the spin, Akeal Hosein will continue to be their biggest bet. Besides, Hayden Walsh has also been added to the squad as an additional option. Kieron Pollard will continue to lead the team, which has a lot of potential on paper.

The batting unit comprises the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks and Shai Hope among others. How they fare against a top-class Indian side in their own backyard remains to be seen.