India vs WI: Team India’s expected playing 11 for the first ODI

India vs WI 2019: Navdeep Saini set to debut in the first ODI between India and WI.

Team India had a successful T20I series where they mauled the West Indies by defeating them 3-0. In the process, they became the first team to defeat West Indies in 6 successive T20Is. The attention now shifts to the ODIs, and Team India would be looking to extend their winning run.

As compared to the T20I squad, there are quite a few changes in the ODI squad. The T20I specialists, Deepak Chahar, Rahul Chahar, Washington Sundar, and Krunal Pandya have flown home. Instead, we have 4 new faces for the ODIs in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Kedar Jadhav, and Mohammed Shami. 

So, considering there is no injury scare, what’s the expected playing 11 for the first ODI between India and WI?

OPENERS:

ROHIT SHARMA & SHIKHAR DHAWAN 

No surprises here as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are expected to open once again for Team India.

KL Rahul, who opened for the injured, Shikhar Dhawan would make way for Dhawan, who had to leave the World Cup due to a thumb injury. However, he has already recovered, and has also featured in the recent T20I series. 

Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, would want to continue his imperious form from the World Cup, where he hit 5 centuries. 

MIDDLE-ORDER:

VIRAT KOHLI, KL RAHUL, AND RISHABH PANT

Virat Kohli would be expected to continue playing at his usual position, number 3. While the experimentation for the middle-order is still on, it shouldn’t be at the expense of Kohli playing at 4. 

KL Rahul, who was Team India’s preferred number 4 in the World Cup, but played as an opener would be back to his usual position.  Rishabh Pant, who played at number 4 in the World Cup, would be expected to play at number 5 to cover up for MS Dhoni.

ALL-ROUNDERS:

KEDAR JADHAV AND RAVINDRA JADEJA

Kedar Jadhav retained his place in the ODI squad even after rumors of him expected to be dropped after a below-par performance in the World Cup.

Now that he is the only experienced finisher in the squad in the absence of MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya, he would be expected to play at number 6. He can also be used for few overs of bowling if Virat Kohli thinks of him as a bowler.

Ravindra Jadeja, who almost pulled off an unbelievable win for Team India in the semi-finals of World Cup 2019 would be once again expected to play as a spinner all-rounder.

BOWLERS:

#8&9: BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR AND MOHAMMED SHAMI

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was Team India’s second pacer in the World Cup. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, he would lead this pace attack.

Mohammed Shami had an exceptional in the World Cup, but was not preferred above Bhuvi. Now that Bumrah isn’t there, he would be expected to play the role of the second pacer.

#10&11: YUZVENDRA CHAHAL AND NAVDEEP SAINI

Yuzvendra Chahal would most likely edge Kuldeep Yadav for the preferred spinner role, He had a relatively good World Cup, and has been Team India’s primary spinner for quite some time now. 

Meanwhile, Navdeep Saini is all set to make his debut in the first ODI. He had a dream debut in the T20I series where he was named as the player of the match. He was also the leading wicket-taker in the series with 5 wickets. 

So, that’s the expected playing 11 for the first ODI between India and WI. 

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(C), KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(WK) , Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Navdeep Saini. 

What do you think about the team? Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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