Probable India Playing XI for the ODI series against West Indies
As India come to terms with their 3-0 whitewash in South Africa and the downward spiral they have been on since the 2019 World Cup, all eyes are on the selectors ahead of the upcoming home series versus West Indies and the potential Indian ODI XI for the three fixtures.
West Indies arrive in India for a set of three Super League games, apart from as many T20Is, to be played in Ahmedabad on February 6, 9 and 11.
What would otherwise have been an opportunity to beef up their home record is now an important series, for selection here would reflect India’s response to their losses, not just in South Africa, but previously in New Zealand and Australia as well.
Two years before the 2023 World Cup at home, this is a chance for India to approach the transition phase with honesty, clarity and some tough decision-making.
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Rohit Sharma is due to take charge of the Indian ODI XI for the West Indies series.
Strongest India Playing XI for the ODI series against West Indies
India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
Indian Playing XI composition for West Indies ODI series
Batters – Rohit, Dhawan, Kohli, Rahul, Iyer
As he recovers from his hamstring injury, Rohit’s return will be the most exciting feature of India’s ODI XI for the series against West Indies. Rohit’s absence left India imbalanced in South Africa as it meant their successful No.5 KL Rahul had to move back to the top of the order, a decision that didn’t work.
Rohit’s return would allow Rahul to get back to the position he has owned since the start of 2020 and also restore his long-term partnership with Dhawan at the top.
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The return of Rohit and Rahul batting at 5 would also help shoulder the burden that Dhawan and Kohli have to take in the batting unit after they were forced to take extra risks and bat against their usual tempo at times.
On the batting front, India may go back to playing an extra specialist batter at 6 in Shreyas Iyer instead of an underdeveloped allrounder in Venkatesh Iyer. With Hardik Pandya likely still unavailable and Shreyas nicely landing his useful part-time spin, he could double-up as a middle-order bat and sixth bowling option. Being able to chip in with some tight overs might also allow Iyer to play ahead of Suryakumar Yadav, who is directly contesting for his spot.
Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant
Pant is likely to be persisted at No.4 despite his tendency to take one risk too many at the worst of times. The left-hander can prove impactful to India’s line-up if he is able to play the aggressors’ role to perfection and allow his team to put the opposition under pressure. Pant’s wicketkeeping was a bit of a letdown in South Africa but that is an area India have been patient with him.
Allrounders – Washington Sundar and Deepak Chahar
Missing their first-choice allrounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, India are expected to give Deepak Chahar an encouraging hand at No.8, while likely bringing in Washington Sundar at No.7. Sundar missed the series in South Africa with Covid but would’ve been close to the XI if he was there.
Sundar’s presence would also help India replace Ravichandran Ashwin in their spin ranks as more of an in-tuned, defensive second spin option, while ensuring they have more of a promising and fruitful batter available than what Shardul Thakur is likely to be proved at No.7 over time.
Bowlers – Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling lacked tooth and bite off the surface against South Africa and his ODI game has been on a downward curve since the last World Cup. But the veteran leggie is expected to be retained in the line-up as its sole wicket-taking spinner.
After a promising outing in Cape Town, India are also expected to keep Prasidh Krishna in their side as the second specialist seamer. Krishna has issues with inconsistency but he has raw materials to be backed as a prospect.
With Jasprit Bumrah rested, Mohammed Siraj will be expected to lead the bowling attack for India. He will have a crucial role to play in all phases of the innings.