Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard
Image Source: Twitter

India are set to lock horns with West Indies in the first of three ODIs on 6th February 2022, Sunday at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Indian team are coming into the series on the back of a 3-0 series defeat in the ODI series against South Africa. They would look to forget the memories of that defeat and focus on what lies ahead.

Rohit Sharma, who missed that series due to a hamstring injury, is all set to captain the ODI team for the first time since his appointment as a full-time skipper. KL Rahul will miss the first ODI of the series due to personal reasons. He will be available from the second match onwards.

IND vs WI: Weather Forecast And Pitch Report Of Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad- India vs West Indies 2022, 1st ODI

Ahead of the start of the series, team India suffered a big blow as four players, namely Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer and Navdeep Saini have tested positive for Covid-19.

The BCCI recently added Ishan Kishan and Mayank Agarwal in the ODI squad as there was no other designator opener present in the squad who could open with Rohit Sharma in the first ODI. Washington Sundar, who has recovered from his injury, has made his way into the teamas well.

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Kuldeep Yadav (Image Credit: Twitter)

Both Jasprit Burmah and Mohammed Shami have been rested for the ODI and T20 series. Kuldeep Yadav has received a call-up in the ODI squad, while Deepak Hooda has also received his maiden ODI call-up.

Kieron Pollard West Indies
Photo Credit: (AP)

West Indies, on the other hand, are coming off a 3-2 T20 series win against England. Though, their last ODI series, however, resulted in a 2-1 defeat against Ireland at home. West Indies will be playing three ODIs against India in their own backyard. The Men in Maroon have compiled a pretty solid unit for the ODI series.

As many as 6 additional players have been added to the West Indies squad that lost to Ireland in the last ODI series. Kemar Roach has been included in the squad in a bid to bolster the pace-attack. Spin bowling all-rounder, Fabien Allen has recovered from Covid-19 and is likely to be part of the playing XI for the first ODI.

Kemar Roach
Photo Credit: (ICC)

To strengthen the batting unit, they have added the likes of Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo and Brandon King. Kieron Pollard will continue to lead the side.

West Indies have got plenty of options in the all-round department such as Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith among others. On paper, they are a team to beat. However, playing against India in their own conditions, which offers a lot of turn, will be a challenge.

IND vs WI: Weather Forecast And Pitch Report Of Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad- India vs West Indies 2022, 1st ODI

IND vs WI T20, ODI 2022 Schedule, Squads, Live Streaming And Live Telecast Channel In India, Venues, Tickets- West Indies tour of India 2022
Photo Credit: (BCCI)

The pitch here at Narendra Modi Stadium offers a good amount of assistance for the bowlers. There will be little movement on offer for the pacers with the new ball. The spinners will come into play in the middle overs.

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The dimensions of the ground are quite big, so you expect the batsmen to take a lot of singles and doubles. Both should look to the ball first upon winning the toss as due is likely to come into the picture in the second innings.

Matches won batting first 11
Matches won bowling first 10
Average 1st Inns scores 242
Average 2nd Inns scores 212