India and West Indies are gearing up to lock horns in the first of three ODIs at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados on July 27 (Thursday). In a year when the Men in Blue are slated to play two major competitions - Asia Cup and ODI World Cup - the series against the Men in Maroon provides a solid opportunity for Rohit Sharma & Co. to work on their craft and try out different combinations by giving chances to fringe players.
India's predicted playing XI:
Openers: Captain Rohit Sharma and stylish batter Shubman Gill are all but certain to open the innings for the Men in Blue in the opening game of the ODI series.
Middle-order: Maverick batter Virat Kohli will take his famed No.3 spot in the batting order while Suryakumar Yadav is the most likely player to bat at No.4.
Wicket-keeper: India have two wicket-keeping options at their disposal with KL Rahul not being part of the squad. The coin flip will be between Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. The left-handed batter, who has a double-century in ODIs, is likely to get the nod ahead of Samson.
All-rounders: Vice-captain Hardik Pandya will make a return to the Indian playing XI after sitting out the Test series. The fast-bowling all-rounder will share the three-dimensional duties with Ravindra Jadeja. Shardul Thakur, who has displayed his ability with the bat on numerous occasions, is also slated to be a part of the playing XI.
Bowlers: With Mohammed Siraj out, Jaydev Unadkat and express pacer Umran Malik are likely to lace their boots and shoulder the responsibility of the pace attack. It will be a battle between Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav for the spinner's spot and the former is likely to get the nod ahead of the chinaman.
India probable playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal
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