India vs West Indies: Team India Probable XI for 1st ODI - Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan in focus

Add as a preferred source on Google

India are set to lock horns in the first ODI against West Indies on Thursday (July 27) in Barbados. White-ball specialists Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, and Yuzvendra Chahal have also arrived in the Caribbean for the three ODIs and the following 5-match T20I series.

India captain Rohit Sharma faces a selection conundrum ahead of the first ODI and he has a few tough calls to make. While the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal are automatic choices.

However, a major toss-up is on the cards to fill the middle-order, wicket-keeper and second all-rounder's slot. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan will compete for the wicket-keeping position. The two can be included together in the eleven if Suryakumar Yadav, who has failed to impress in the 50-over format, is made to sit out.

Suryakumar Yadav, the number one ranked T20I batter in the world, has scored 433 runs at a below-par average of 24.05 in 23 ODIs. Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson carry an average of 42.5 and 66 respectively in the format.

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are out with injury and even if they return soon and find a place in the squad, India would want to have a batter ready for the position as a backup ahead of Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023.

Suryakumar Yadav to be dropped for Kishan and Samson?

Dropping Suryakumar Yadav would not be a bad idea but chances are that he would once again get the trust of the management. Samson and Ishan both haven't been named in the Indian squad for Asian Games. The same had also confirmed that the duo are in the reckoning for the World Cup which starts on October 15.

Kishan has opened for India in the past but with Shubman Gill making that position his own, batting in the middle-order slots is the only option left for him. Samson last played an ODI game as a specialist batter. Rishabh Pant donned the gloves in the match.

The return of KL Rahul could see him get a direct entry as a wicketkeeper-batter and therefore for the time being Samson might just get the nod ahead of Kishan to play in the eleven.

Who will be the all-rounder Axar Patel or Shardul Thakur?

The other big toss-up could be between Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur. Ignoring Axar would be really difficult because of his intense growth with the bat in the white-ball formats. His left-arm spin can also come in handy in the West Indies conditions.

However, Ravindra Jadeja (also a left-arm all-rounder) and Axar have played together only once since 2015. In the Visakhapatnam ODI in March this year, India fielded both Axar and Jadeja, however, ending up losing the match by 10 wickets.

Shardul Thakur has a better chance of making it into the eleven as he brings experience in the pace unit which is without Mohammed Shami or Jasprit Bumrah. His inclusion could mean the inclusion of both Yuvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in the playing eleven.

Umran Malik is also being looked upon as a possible member of India's World Cup squad. A confirmation of sorts will come if he plays ahead of Mukesh Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat in the first ODI.

India Predicted Playing XI for first ODI vs West Indies: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, (Virat Kohli), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik.