Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian think tank will have a good headache ahead of Friday’s ODI series opener against West Indies at Port of Spain. The three-match ODI series against West Indies may not be a top priority for Team India but it is also an opportunity. With only a handful of matches before the T20 World Cup 2022, focus will be on players hopeful of a spot in the squad. One of them is Arshdeep Singh, who has impressed in his T20I debut against England recently. Whether he will make his ODI debut will depend on team management especially what Head Coach Rahul Dravid thinks.
While the bowling combination looks straightforward with three pacers making the line-up. With Shardul Thakur looks to be guaranteed of a place in playing XI, two among Atshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj will bet a nod in. Since Arshdeep is a reliable option as a death-overs specialist and with T20 World Cup around the corner, he is still in plans. In his only T20, Arshdeep gave away just 18 runs in his 3.3 overs, bagging two wickets.
With no Hardik Pandya in the ODI series, India will need a third seamer and that is where he fits the bill perfectly.
Another good headache for Rahul Dravid is the opening slot. Barring Dhawan, India have as many as four options in Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson.
The think tank might prefer a left-right combination for the opening slot and in that case, Shubman Gill might get the nod with Ishan at No 3.
The middle-order looks crowded with Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer competing for two spots. Suryakumar Yadav is a certainty at No 4. Deepak Hooda looks to be having an edge especially with his bowling. In that case it will be either Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson, with the Mumbai batter getting a preference since he has been with the side in England.
So, India’s likely playing XI for 1st ODI against West Indies may look like – Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh & Yuzvendra Chahal