India’s Predicted ODI Playing XI against West Indies: Sportsrush presents before you India’s Predicted Playing XI for the first ODI.

The selection committee had announced the 14-member ODI squad for the first two ODIs against West Indies a couple of days ago. The announcement has put more light on the names which will be taking field on October 21 on the eve of the first ODI at Guwahati.

Post announcing the team, Chief Selector MSK Prasad had said that in a bid to select the best combination, India will look to try out a few players for a couple of spots ahead of the World Cup. This desire of the Indian selectors seems to be the reason behind the selection of these 14 members.

Having won their previous ODI assignment in Asia Cup last month, India will be looking to carry forward the momentum albeit with some changes in the squad.

India’s Predicted Playing XI for the first ODI

1. Top-order – As repeated as it sounds, India will persist with the tried and tested combination of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order for India. With Virat Kohli also been named in the squad, India will take the field with one of the most strongest top-orders of limited-overs cricket of the modern times. The trio has it in it to bail out India from any given situation.

2. Middle-order – In Kohli’s absence, Ambati Rayudu had pressed a case for himself at No. 4 for India. Although he batted at No. 3 in the Asia Cup, it was always public that he is auditioning for the No. 4 spot. With Kohli returning back, Rayudu’s real test at the spot for grab will begin now.

Despite all that has been said about wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the last month or so, he will bat at No. 5 at Guwahati. Dhoni would be eager to be back among the runs for this year really has been below par for him by his standards.

With Kedar Jadhav nursing a hamstring injury, India have two options to slot at No. 6. Interestingly, unlike Jadhav, none of them bowls, which means that India will have to bowl the 50 overs with their four specialist bowlers and an all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja (who will bat at No. 7).

Coming back to No. 6, India will play one out of Manish Pandey and uncapped Rishabh Pant. In the 18 ODI innings which he has played for India, Pandey has batted at No. 4, 5 and 6. With an average of 45.66 and a strike rate of 118.10 at No. 6, he has performed his best at this position. That being said, he might lose out on Pant on taking on the bowlers from the word go.

What might work in Pant’s favor is that fact that he is a god-gifted striker of the ball, someone who is best suited for finishing innings in the 50-over format. The No. 6 position might just finish India’s search for the finisher’s role. Oh wait, what about when Jadhav will return?

3. Bowlers – The Indian spinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav would be looking to continuing bamboozling the opposition batsmen with their variations. However, it is the pace bowling department which India might be a tad worried about in the first two ODIs.

In a sans Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah squad, Mohammad Shami is highly likely to lead the attack. Playing ODIs after more than a year, it will be intriguing to see him bowl with the new ball and at the death overs for India.

One out of Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed will share the new ball alongside Shami. Given he bowls with the left-arm, seeking variation might aid Ahmed to pin down Thakur in Guwahati.

India’s Predicted Playing XI for the first ODI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (wk), Manish Pandey/Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Khaleel Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Read some of the recent Twitter reactions on West Indies’ tour of India below: