The second ODI is due to be held in Guwahati on September 30.
India registered a thumping 8-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first ODI at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (September 27).
Opting to bowl first, the hosts restricted the Caribbean side to 295/7, thanks to left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul (4-40 in 10 overs).
In reply, the Men in Blue rode on spectacular centuries from Virat Kohli (139* off 88) and Shubman Gill (110 off 108) to get over the line with 50 deliveries to spare.
Despite the dominating win, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra suggested a change in India’s playing XI for the second ODI, scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati.
Chopra argued that senior pacer Mohammed Siraj should replace batting all-rounder Naman Dhir in the lineup. His reasoning was that India's deep batting lineup leaves little opportunity for Dhir to bat, and since the Punjab lad is unlikely to be in the mix for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the team management should prioritize giving game time to frontline bowlers like Siraj.
"I think we should be okay to play with seven batters, four proper bowlers, then play Siraj maybe. For Naman Dhir, it'll be really harsh because you've just given him an opportunity. His five overs weren’t overly expensive, but then he's unlikely to be your go-to guy to take wickets," Chopra said during a discussion on Cricinfo.
"He has not got an opportunity to bat. The fact is, he might not get an opportunity to bat at all with the kind of batting depth that India has, unless you promote him. But you won't promote him. You will actually promote Nitish Kumar Reddy if you were to. For the 2027 World Cup, Naman Dhir is not a likely candidate to be a part of the conversation, let alone being a part of the team. So, Mohammed Siraj for Naman Dhir will be my pick," he added.
Aakash Chopra believes the team winning the toss will hold a massive advantage in the second ODI as dew is expected to play a critical role at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
"You expect a lot of dew. In a T20 game, it gets nullified a little because the sun sets early and the dew is already present by 7pm. It doesn't really go overboard after that. But, in an ODI, if you get to bowl first with a dry ball, you are almost certain to bat with a bar of soap in the second half. So, yes, win the toss and almost win the game," he remarked.