Chennai, Dec 14 (UNI) Eyeing for a 10th straight bilateral
series win against the West Indies, a buoyant India, fresh
from its 2-1 win in the shortest format, would continue to
maintain the momentum when the two teams come face
to face in the first ODI at the M A Chidambaram here
tomorrow.
However, rain threat looms large over the contest as the city
has been experiencing heavy rains for the last two days due
to the presence of upper air circulation.
Though West Indies managed to win one of the three matches
in the T20s last week, India clearly start as firm favourites,
despite the visitors very keen to carry forward the momentum
they gained in the T20s.
On the eve of the match, India suffered a set back when swing
bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar was ruled out to a groin injury and
the selectors have named Chennai Super King player Shardul
Thakur as his replacement.
The momentum was clearly with the home with skipper Virat Kohli
in sublime form along with opener K L Rahul as was seen in the
high scoring contest at Mumbai, which helped them seal the T20
series.
In the absence of southpaw Shikar Dhawan, who was ruled out due
to an injury, Rohit Sharma would open with Rahul, followed by Kohli,
Shreyas Iyer at the crucial number four slot, Shivam Dube and underfire
Rishab Pant.
It needs to be seen whether Kedhar Jadhav, who also bowls off spin,
get a chance or in form Mayank Agarwal, who scored heavily in the
domestic matches and replaced Shikar Dhawan, was also in contention
along with Manish Pandey.
Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar was expected to share the new
ball and it would be a toss up between Yuzvendra Chahal, wrist spinner
Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja among the spinners.
With the Chepauk wicket expected to assist the spinners, Kohli might be
tempted to go with three spinners.
West Indies, on the other hand, were happy about the T20 show and was
keen to carry it forward in the ODIs.
As Assistant coach Roddy Estwick put it, he was happy with the T20 show
and would continue to carry forward it in the ODIs.
He also spoke about their batsmen rotating the strike, a strategy well done
during the series against Afghanistan.
The Carribeans have good talent in the form of Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas
Pooran, the aggressive Shari Hope and skipper Kieron Pollard, who is known
well for his big hitting prowess and all rounder Romario Shepherd.
There was an injury cloud over Evin Lewis and the team management is
hopeful that he would be fit when the two skippers walk out in the middle
for the toss.
Sheldon Cottrell will spearhead the bowling along with former skipper Jason
Holder, while the spin deparment would be headed by leg spinner Hayden
Walsh Jr, Kharry Pierre and Roston Chase.
The teams Teams (from):
India:
Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (VC), Mayank Agarwal, K L Rahul, Shreyas Iyer,
Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra
Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed
Shami, Shardul Thakur.
West Indies:
Kieron Pollard (C), Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope, Khary Pierre, Roston Chase, Alzarri
Joseph, Sheldon Cottrell, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin
Lewis, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Hayden Walsh Jr.
UNI GV 1300