India's predicted ODI XI for West Indies tour

Team India will tour the Caribbean islands to square off with the West Indies for two tests, three One-day Internationals (ODIs), and five T20 Internationals (T20Is). This will be India’s first series after their heavy 209-run defeat against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023. With the 2023 World Cup coming ahead, India will look to outclass the West Indies side in a three-match ODI series and make their preparation strong for the marquee event. In the latest development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced squads for the upcoming tour. Noting the absence of some key players due to injuries, young faces have been included in the One-Day team. For unestablished players, the West Indies series will be a perfect opportunity to prove themselves and make their candidacy strong for the World Cup in October-November. Here is the predicted ODI XI for the West Indies tour 1. Rohit Sharma Captain Rohit Sharma will be expected to get his rhythm back in the ODI competition against the West Indies. This year, the India skipper has looked decent with his bat in the ODI format, scoring 371 runs in eight innings of eight matches, at a strike rate of 108.47. In the January New Zealand series at home, he exuded confidence with his bat and amassed 186 runs in three ODIs at a strike rate of 107.51. In the third match played at the Holkar Stadium, Rohit notched up an ODI century after three years. However, his performance plummeted against Australia at home. Against the Steven Smith-led Aussie side, the veteran opener could pile up only 43 runs in two matches at an average of 21.50. Prior to the World Cup, Rohit will look to get his old form back and a blockbuster batting performance in the West Indies tour might give him confidence. Against the Caribbeans, his record is fabulous as the 36-year-old has notched up 1601 runs in 36 games at a strike rate of 92.17. 2. Shubman Gill India opener Shubman Gill kicked off this year with a bang. During the Sri Lanka series in January, Gill looked incredible with his bat and helped India to whitewash the visitors comfortably. During the competition, the youngster looked confident and scored 207 runs in three ODIs at a strike rate of 122.48. Taking his superb form ahead, Gill performed extremely well against New Zealand. In the three-match ODI competition, the right-handed batter ended up as the leading run-getter, accumulating 360 runs with a couple of tons in three matches at an extraordinary strike rate of 128.57. Playing the opening game in Hyderabad, Gill produced a historic 208-run knock and became the Player of the Match in India’s 12-run win. In the last ODI series against Australia, he struggled to be among the runs but in the upcoming West Indies tour, his endeavours will be to revive his form. 3. Virat Kohli Virat Kohli will tour the West Indies with the Indian team, next month. In ODIs, he will be expected to take the Windies bowling unit to the cleaners. The 34-year-old didn’t look great during the Australia series in March and his dismal batting shows also cost the team in the competition. In the upcoming World Cup at home, Kohli’s performance will be crucial for India’s campaign. The batting maestro started his year well with scintillating batting displays against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series held in January. Against New Zealand, he struggled to be among the runs in the first two ODIs but in the third game, he contributed a brisk 36 (27) to the team in India’s comprehensive 90-run victory at the Holkar Stadium. Against the Australian team in March, Kohli looked ineffective in the first ODI at the Wankhede Stadium, scoring four off nine. In the last two matches of the series, his performance was decent but considering his stature, the Indian team management and fans expect him to play match-winning knocks. 4. Suryakumar Yadav In the absence of Shreyas Iyer, BCCI has given another chance to Suryakumar Yadav to bolster India’s middle order during the Caribbean tour. His batting in the previous ODI competition was a nightmare as he accumulated three ducks against the mighty Aussie side that beat India at home. Suryakumar missed a chance to shine against Australia, but against the West Indies, he will strive to do wonders with his bat and cement his place in the ODI side. So far, the 33-year-old has played 23 ODIs, in which he has scored 433 runs in 21 innings at a strike rate of 102.12 Against the West Indies, he has scored 134 runs so far, in six innings of six matches at a strike rate of 87.01. If he gets a chance in One-Day matches against the Windies team, he should grab the opportunity with both hands and produce an impressive knock from his bat. 5. Sanju Samson (wk) Sanju Samson would make a comeback in India’s One-Day team next month, after missing the ODI series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia in the previous home season. KL Rahul, who was playing the role of a wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence, hasn’t featured in the 17-member ODI squad for the West Indies as he is yet to recover from his right thigh injury. Rahul’s absence has emerged as an opportunity for Samson as selectors have shown faith in him for the ODI competition against the Caribbeans. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter is an ideal candidate to replace Rahul as the 28-year-old has the ability to play huge knocks for the team in the lower middle order. During South Africa’s tour of India in 2022, Samson showcased his class in the first ODI played in Lucknow, scoring a brilliant 86 off 63. As the team management has picked up Samson for the Windies series, his objective will now be to turn himself into a match-winner and make himself a strong candidate for India’s wicketkeeper-batter in the World Cup 2023. 6. Hardik Pandya All eyes will be set on Hardik Pandya in the series against the West Indies as he will be a vital cog in the upcoming ODI World Cup. Hardik contributes to the team in all departments of the game and his performance will play a crucial role in determining how the team’s campaign will be at the marquee event to be held in October-November. This year, Hardik hasn’t looked effective with both bat and ball in three ODI series played thus far. Considering his experience, caliber, and skills, the Indian team management won’t be concerned about his form. However, Indian cricket team fans will want to see him in action in the ODI series against the West Indies and other crucial ODI tournaments coming ahead. His performance before the massive ODI tournament will not only give assurance to Team India supporters but also give confidence to the Indian side and the player himself. Hardik’s last impactful batting innings came against New Zealand at the Holkar Stadium in January. The star India all-rounder will be required to come heavily on Caribbean opponents. 7. Ravindra Jadeja Ravindra Jadeja made a comeback in the international circuit in February. In March, he also served the national team in blue jersey during a three-match ODI series against Australia. Playing all three games, the all-rounder racked up 79 runs and two wickets in three matches. Jadeja’s numbers in the Aussie series do not justify his reputation. The star India player will have to provide something solid to the side before the 2023 World Cup. Since 2022, the veteran has played only six games, in which he hasn’t performed up to the mark in any department of the game. In the West Indies tour, the 34-year-old will have to dominate the Caribbeans and revive his form for the next big assignments to help the team regain the coveted Asia Cup and World Cup trophies. 8. Shardul Thakur Shardul Thakur will travel with the side to the West Indies for the multi-format series. For the 31-year-old, the One-Day competition will be crucial as he will look forward to booking a spot in the team for huge multilateral tournaments such as the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2023 World Cup to be played in India. Currently, India needs a fast bowler who could serve the team along with premier pacers such as Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. Shardul, who has played 35 ODIs for India, could become a perfect candidate to fill the position. During the West Indies tour, he will look to shine with the ball and prove his candidacy strong. Along with the ball, Shardul could also add depth to India’s batting line-up with his proficient batting skills. So far, he has scored 298 runs with a half-century in 21 innings of 35 ODIs at a strike rate of 109.96. Talking about his bowling performance, he has taken 50 wickets in 35 matches at an economy of 6.22. These numbers make Shardul a credible all-round option to help him break into India’s 2023 World Cup squad but he will be required to provide solid numbers to the team in the West Indies. 9. Mohammed Siraj Mohammed Siraj will be seen pairing up with Mohammed Shami to lead India’s pace attack in the 2023 World Cup. In case, Jasprit Bumrah fails to make a comeback in the team for the marquee ODI tournament, the responsibility of these two bowling stalwarts will be to provide top-notch services to the Indian team. In the previous year, Siraj exuded confidence with the ball and became the highest-wicket for India in ODIs, claiming 24 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 4.62. Continuing his form this year, the pace bowler has clinched 19 wickets in eight ODIs at an economy of 4.61. During the West Indies tour, he will look to lead India’s pace attack from the front and win games for the team. Siraj, who toured the West Indies for the first time the previous year, had taken four wickets in three matches at an economy of 5.08. This year, he will look to show his fierce side to the Windies team and move ahead for the humongous ODI events such as Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023. 10. Yuzvendra Chahal Yuzvendra Chahal will be seen in action again after a couple of months in July. In 2022, the leg-spinner looked aggressive with the ball and claimed 21 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 5.48. These numbers also made him the third-leading wicket-taker for the Men in Blue in the year. In 2023, he got a chance in a couple of ODIs and scalped three wickets at an economy of 5.82. The spin veteran is a crucial player in India’s ODI team and during the clash with West Indies in the Caribbean islands, he will be required to lead the team’s spin attack with courage and confidence. The leggie's record is decent in the Caribbean conditions as he has clinched eight wickets in four matches at an economy of 5.86. Months before the 2023 World Cup, Chahal’s endeavours will be to outmaneuver the Windies team and pump himself up for the huge ODI extravaganza in October-November. 11. Umran Malik India’s pace sensation Umran Malik hasn’t utilized the chances well he has got so far in ODIs. So far, the speedster has taken 13 wickets in seven innings of eight matches at an expensive economy of 6.45. However, ahead of the World Cup, he will have to turn up against batters in the Windies tour to become a part of India’s campaign at the marquee event. This year, Malik was a part of the Indian ODI team in the series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia. Against Sri Lanka, he got a couple of games and picked up five wickets at an economy of 7.00. Although his performance was decent in the competition, Malik’s hefty economy was a point of discussion. Against New Zealand, he featured in the last ODI at the Holkar Stadium, but there as well, he failed to be up to the mark with his 1/52 figures in his seven-over spell. Despite Umran’s dismal bowling shows, the team management hasn’t lost faith in him and now, it’s the youngster’s turn to improve his game and win a place in India’s World Cup squad.

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India's predicted ODI XI for West Indies tour

These players are likely to make an ideal India playing XI against the West Indies.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

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