On Sunday India will be creating history by playing their 1000th ODI and in the process will be the first team to do so. India has won 518 and lost 431 and their victory percentage is 54.54. Ony Australia and South Africa have a better winning percentage. Australia is second in the list with 958 matches and Pakistan stands third with 936 matches.
India will be playing West Indies in a three-match ODI series and all the matches are slated to be hosted at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the biggest and most well-equipped stadium in the nation, the only pity is that spectators are not allowed to avail the state of the art infrastructure.
#TeamIndia begin preps in Ahmedabad ahead of the ODI series against West Indies.#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/aYTd1QuexB
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2022
West Indies and India are both struggling from their given form. West Indies lost to Bangladesh 3-0 and the nail in the coffin was a loss against the recently concluded series against Ireland.
India is also in the same boat, they were whitewashed by the second string of South Africa and earlier they struggled to beat Sri Lanka and England in the ODI series. So these three series matches, which are on 6th, 9th, and 11th February will be the salvaging ground of both the teams.
Can the Indian team under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma start to pick up the momentum? Or will West Indies spring a surprise?
Match timings
Match Toss Time: 13:00 IST (07:30 GMT)
Match Start Time: 13:30 IST (08:00 GMT)
Match Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Head to head
Matches Played: 133, India: 64, West Indies 63: 15, Tied: 2, NR: 4
Pitch
The last ODI at this venue was played in 2014 so nothing much can be said about from that as the pitch has been re-laid after the renovation of the stadium. However, two Test matches were played at this venue, where it was a rank turner and in England were outplayed by the spin duo of Axar Patel and Ravi Ashwin. Given that, the services of Chahal and Kuldeep will be vital in this clash.
We expect that 300 to be the winning total as the pitch will assist spin. As the matches are day-night affairs so dew factor is likely to play a huge factor in this 2nd innings.
Teams
India
Rohit Sharma, the most successful IPL, captain, who eclipsed Dhoni by his performances is set to take the reins after ages.
In view of spinning track India should keep Kuldeep, Chahal, and Washington Sundar as spinners. With the emergence of Shardul and Chahar as all-rounders, India should go for Mohammad Siraj, Shardul, and Chahar as pacers. Opening by Rohit and Ishan as per the latest reports. Surya Kumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant to complete the batting lineup as Kl Rahul will be available only from the 2nd ODI.
Probable playing Xl
Rohit Sharma(C), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
West Indies
West Indies won the T-20 series against England and their morale must be high and we expect the lineup on the same line. Brandon King and Shai Hope to open, Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, and Brooks to constitute batting line up.
All-rounder Jason Holder, Roach, Romario Shepherd, Fabien Allen, and Akeal Hosein to spearhead bowling, and Pollard will play the slogger role and captain the side, who has proved his worth in the Caribbean league to marshall resources.
Strength and Weakness
West Indies have many all-rounders and for a change, they have good spinners in their arsenal as well. Their batsmen are rock solid instead of swashbuckling batters of yesteryears. They have two potential match-winners in the form of Holder and Pollard.
However, the batters lack experience against quality spin, further as the ground is big, the chances of them holing out stand to be high.
The pace attack of the West Indies is ordinary, Roach is past his prime and new bowlers are not speedsters, so it will be difficult to bowl India out.
India on the other hand will be without the services of several key players, who are out due to the virus. Chahar and Shardul are not effective in 2nd spells. Kuldeep is making a comeback after ages. A new captain requires some time to control proceedings.
India's strength is spin bowling and if the pitch is flat then all-rounders of West Indies can capitalize on them.
Verdict
India should win the series rather comfortably. However, if only two spinners are selected and Mayank is brought to strengthen batting then it will be a harakiri by Coach Rahul Dravid.
Criwizz predicts India to win the 1st ODI against West Indies.
Happy viewing.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the author's view and do not necessarily reflect the official match scores, proceedings, or position of the match in any way.
