Rohit Sharma-led India will look to register their first series win of the year with a victory in second ODI against West Indies at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The selectors will have a good headache as they sort out the team combination for the second ODI with KL Rahul returning to the side.
Rahul played as an opener in the South Africa ODI series in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Also, Shikhar Dhawan has recovered from Covid-19 and if he returns to the playing XI, Rahul is bound to be pushed down the order. If Rahul bats in middle-order, Rishabh Pant will not bat at no.4. Also, it will mean that Deepak Hooda who made his ODI debut in previous game will not be a part of the XI.
This also makes Shreyas Iyer's return to the ODI side unlikely. Iyer did not impress in the middle-order against the Proteas with mediocre performances.
If Rahul and Dhawan return to the squad, Ishan Kishan will also be warming the bench. Kishan shared an 84-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma in the run chase.
It will be another landmark for former Indian skipper Virat Kohli. It will be Kohli's 100th ODI on home soil. Kohli will join the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni on the list. It will also be another chance for the 33-year-old to end the drought of centuries. The no.3 batter played an unusual knock in the first ODI as he got out after scoring eight runs from four balls.
The good news for India going into the second ODI is that the new skipper Rohit's return to the field was a fruitful one. Rohit scored a half-century in the run chase and did not seem troubled by the Caribbean bowlers.
Also, the Indian spinners were able to get crucial wickets in the middle overs. Yuzvendra Chahal took lessons from his ordinary performances in South Africa and incorporated more variations in his bowling. Returning to the team after injury, Washington Sundar was mighty impressive too with his off-spin in powerplay overs and later in the innings.
West Indies will have a point to prove after their batting lineup surrendered to Indian spinners. Pollard may not look to make too many changes to the batting order. However, there is a chance that all-rounder Jason Holder may get promoted up the order after a half-century in the first ODI. In the bowling department, Alzarri Joseph was impressive as he took two wickets in a single over. Kemar Roach looked out of touch but is expected to get another chance.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Shahrukh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul
West Indies Squad: Shai Hope(wk), Brandon King, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard(c), Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Fabian Allen, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Nkrumah Bonner, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh
