WI vs IND 1st ODI Preview: Buoyant India set to take on wounded West Indies

India will play a 3-match ODI series against West Indies eyeing World Cup.

India are set to commence their World Cup preparation with a 3-match ODI series against West Indies. The first ODI will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados. West Indies are out of the World Cup main event for the first time in history. The two-time World Cup champion West Indies after being thrashed by Scotland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands will be missing out on the main event for the first time since the World Cup’s inception.

Full-strength India are looking at these three ODI games as a much-needed World Cup preparation. India played only 54 ODI games in the last four years. ODIs have lost their importance with much of the Test and T20 format and their main event scheduled every two years. 

India will be playing along with their full-time captain Rohit Sharma and premier LOI batter Virat Kohli in the team to give a proper game time before big events. These three ODIs will be crucial for India as the Asia Cup is also approaching the calendar. India lost their previous ODI series against Australia by 1-2 just before the IPL.

The West Indies tour will also settle the many debates happening around the team combination for the World Cup in October - November. A dominating performance in the two-match test series will also provide a confidence booster dose to team India getting ready for the upcoming white-ball challenges. The first two ODIs will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados while the last one will be hosted by Brian Lara Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. 

West Indies vs India 1st ODI Kensington Oval, Pitch Report

Kensington Oval is traditionally on the slower side in the Caribbean islands. But recently Kensington’s wicket became better for batting. Spinners will have a lot of purchases from the wicket and will create a lot of impact on the game. This ground last hosted an ODI in August 2022 when New Zealand chased down a total of 302 against the West Indies.

West Indies vs India 1st ODI Team News

West Indies have recalled Shimron Hetmyer after two years gap from the ODI squad. Selectors have taken this decision after the team's poor show in Zimbabwe during ICC World Cup qualifiers. Oshan Thomas will also be making his comeback. Nicolas Pooran and Jason Holder are unavailable for the WI in this series.

India have a full-strength squad to take on the Windies. Captain Rohit Sharma and senior pros like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja will be available in the playing xi. India have a good mix of youth as well. There will be a fight for the place in the World Cup 15-member squad along with the Caribbean challenge. 

Head to Head, West Indies vs India 

Matches: 139 

India wins: 70

West Indies wins: 63

No result: 4

Tie: 2

West Indies vs India 1st ODI, Players to Watch Out for 

Shubman Gill (India)

Indian opening batter is India’s leading run-scorer in the ODI format in the last 12 months. Gill has smashed 1155 runs in 19 innings at an average of 77.00 in 50 overs format. Gill failed miserably in the Two match test series but white-ball cricket will be a different format for him. Gill will have an opportunity to settle his place in the World Cup squad with the next three innings as the opener in the upcoming series. 

Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies) 

If West Indies missed one player in their World Cup qualifier campaign, that was Shimron Hetmyer. Hetmyer’s presence could have changed the result of a few crucial games that the Windies lost in the tournament. Hetmyer will be coming back in the Maroon jersey after two years and he will be the danger man for India. Hetmyer has been a magnificent white-ball player in T20 leagues and knows how to replicate his performance in the 50 overs format. 

West Indies vs India 1st ODI, Probable Playing XI 

India Predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma ©, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shadul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj 

West Indies Predicted Playing XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope ©, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Dominic Drakes, Yannic Cariah, Oshane Thomas 

West Indies vs India 1st ODI Live Broadcast 

India: Sports 18, Joi Cinema, DD Sports, Fancode

West Indies: Rush Sports