With the 2023 ODI World Cup less than four months away, India captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid will be looking to take the opportunity of the three-match ODI series against West Indies starting on Thursday at Bridgetown in Barbados to try and test a few players and also assign the roles and responsibilities to the established members in the side.
On the other hand, Hosts West Indies who failed to qualify for the World Cup will be looking to give opportunities to a few youngsters to rebuild for the next cycle. Without experienced campaigners like Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran, it would be an ideal opportunity for a few youngsters to make the most of their chances and prove themselves.
Team India starts the series as favourites as the two teams get ready to battle it in the first ODI at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on July 27. Let’s take a look at the possible playing combinations and predicted XI.
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Suryakumar Yadav
The T20 specialist has played some remarkable knocks in the shorter format but is yet to make his mark in the 50-over game. Twenty-three games into his ODI career, Suryakumar averages 24.05 and has only two half-centuries so far. With Shreyas Iyer regaining his fitness, this might be the last opportunity for the 32-year-old to show his skills in this game version.
Kul-cha return
With Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, it might be an ideal opportunity for skipper Rohit Sharma to reunite the tried and tested pair. The wrist spinners have had immense success when they have played together. However, due to a drop in form for Kuldeep, the team management tried other combinations, and the pair were separated. With the World Cup in India conditions where the ball will turn and grip, Rohit might be tempted to return to this combination.
Umran Malik to get a game
The Jammu and Kashmir pacer has been arguably the most exciting prospect in Indian cricket. His bowling at full throttle is a joy to watch for any Indian supporter. Though it is unclear if Malik will make the cut for the World Cup, his name will be in the discussions. Only a handful of teams have bowlers who bowl as quickly as him in the world game. Having him on the side will add another dimension to the bowling arsenal of the Indian attack.
Predicted line-ups
India Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
West Indies Predicted XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (C & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Alzarri Joseph, Oshane Thomas, Jayden Seales
Squads:
West Indies Squad: Shai Hope(w/c), Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Alick Athanaze, Rovman Powell, Keacy Carty, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Oshane Thomas, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair, Dominic Drakes, Yannic Cariah
India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad
