*WESTINDIES VS INDIA 1st ODI IN A 3 MATCH ODI SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*CAN THE CARIBBEAN BOYS PUT UP A FIGHT?:*
Prolonged discussions and intense conversations helps a group communicate better and be able to reform themselves. The Windies are under the pump, having lost the test series 0-1 and are staring down the barrel with notable names like Pooran and Holdar unavailable for this particular series vs India. They are fielding a much inexperienced side which also marks the return of attacking southpaw Hetmyer and hit-the-deck-hard bowler Oshane Thomas. The men from Caribbean have already been knocked out of the cricket World Cup scheduled to be played in India later this year and as much unbelievable as this may sound, the Windies Cricket is on a decline with the viewership declining, fans not finding a reason to support their boys and no media rights/sponsors ready to offer a contract. In the middle of this, when India comes, the demand naturally increases even if the standard of the WI white ball team does not. This time not only do they have a chance to entertain the little supporters that come to watch them but also have a chance to regain the lost respect after a humiliating CWC exit against India, who begin their prep to the marque event from tomorrow, with a whitewash in their grasp and sight.
We will be seeing the usual faces in the Indian camp with Rohit and Virat being the centre of attention but the inclusion of Surya and Samson opens up more rounds of discussions and debates for the Indian middle order with the mains Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul recovering and being on the path to playing for India again. I feel this is a golden chance for Sanju to showcase what he brings to the table with his attacking strokeplay. His powerpacked return is the need of the hour and his average over 60 boasts well for his case.
The Indian bowling will be under the scanner with the likes of Shami and Bumrah not available but the impeccable form that Siraj is in, will keep the Indian bowling group in good stead. Not only has he struck at crunch situations but has also been extremely economical with the bowl. The WI batters have a task up their sleeves and mind you, it’s going to be one helluva of a task. We may see Mukesh Kumar, the king of accuracy get his debut cap in the format as well and given the lack of games for the WI batters, it would be interesting watch how he goes about the game.
The series could well decide which of the two middle order bets in SKY and Sanju get the nod as the additional batter and will also test India’s spin bowling duo in conditions not so favourable.
*WI PROBABLE 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/Yannic Cariah
Alzarri Joseph should enjoy bowling to India’s ace batters which form the top order. Virat and Rohit are absolute gems of this format and having done well against both of them, the tall pacer would feel confident heading into this fixture and this battle. Shai Hope, the skipper of the side, would not shy away from opening with Alzarri and using him as an enforcer for short bursts.
Rovman Powell is an interesting character in this WI team. He has truck loads of talent but has not yet justified it. When he holds the willow in his hand, he is at his brutal best but inconsistencies and his lack of convinction brings him down. His last 10 ODI innings haven’t produced any score of substance and his highest score in these games remains a 46 off 49 balls. He would hope to come strong in this series and take on the Indian bowling.
The return of Shimron should raise a few eyebrows but his addition to this depleting WI side is absolute gold. He is a man of courage who has the experience of taking a toll of these Indian bowlers and has brushed shoulders well enough with them, at the IPL too. The southpaw is a danger and if India have to worry about someone, then it’s definitely him.
*IND PROBABLE XI:*
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan/Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat/Mukesh Kumar
I feel picking both Samson and Ishan and leaving SKY behind wouldn’t be such a bad option. Sanju, being the better keeper, can adorn the gloves while Kishan can field and both, with the insane amount of talent, can play single handedly for their batting abilities. The fact that one is a left handed batter and the other one is a right handed batter speaks quite alot about their value to the side.
This series allows us to see Hardik, Kuldeep, Umran Malik and SKY back in action after a layoff. The hitting abilities of Hardik at the backend of an innings will be watched out for and if he holds the edge as a finisher will be tested. We could see him bowl in different phases of the game as practice to India prepping for the big clashes in October. Kuldeep is a wily leggie and his resurgence has been nothing short of outrageous, he keeps the batters under check and produces one or two mind blowing deliveries each game, this very feature makes him the star he is and he’d be looking forward to deceiving the bulk of the WI batters.
Shubman Gill is playing his first ODI series here in WI and backing him up are two bad outings in test matches. With the audience wanting him to get back to his best, there is no doubt that the youngster will be under pressure. What should motivate him however is his stunning run of form in the format over the last two years that has helped him break some records in ODI cricket and banking him to deliver again would be a good tempting option.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR WI:*
Highest run getter- Shai Hope/Shimron Hetmyer
Highest wicket taker- Alzarri Joseph/Oshane Thomas
*FOR IND:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Virat Kohli
Highest wicket taker- Kuldeep Yadav/Mohammad Siraj
*FOR THE GAME:*
Indian boys to win and start off on a positive note