IND vs WI 1st ODI: Team India’s objective in the India vs West Indies 1st ODI at Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram will go beyond simply starting the series with a win.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will also be looking for answers to several important questions surrounding the team’s combination and the form of some senior players. While Virat Kohli has been showing promising form, the performances of a few experienced stars remain under scrutiny.
The 1st ODI gives these players an opportunity to make a strong statement, score valuable runs and strengthen their position in India’s plans going forward.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma will be one of the biggest talking points heading into the first ODI. The veteran opener, who is 39, remains keen to feature in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup. However, questions continue to surround his long-term future in the Indian ODI setup.
Rohit will be eager to silence those doubts with a commanding performance in Thiruvananthapuram. A big innings from the former captain could provide India with an ideal start while also strengthening his case for a place in the team’s future plans.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul is another senior batter who will be under the spotlight. The wicketkeeper-batter has not produced a major score in his recent ODI outings and will be looking to regain his rhythm against the West Indies.
With India continuing to assess their middle-order combination, Rahul has a crucial role to play. A substantial innings in the India vs West Indies 1st ODI could boost his confidence and give Gambhir and Gill another reason to rely on his experience.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja returns to India’s ODI squad and faces an important opportunity to make his presence count. With Axar Patel also part of the squad, competition for the all-rounder’s spot is likely to remain intense.
Jadeja’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable option, but he will need a strong all-round performance to strengthen his claim for a place in the playing XI.
The first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram could therefore be an important opportunity for Jadeja to remind the team management of his value.
Team India Squad vs West Indies
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Gurnoor Brar, Naman Dhir.