India is hosting West Indies for a full home series of two Tests, five ODIs and three T20I matches. With the first Test already wrapped up, which India won by a record margin of an innings and 272 runs thanks to centuries from Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, and Prithvi Shaw.
With BCCI supposed to announce the India squad for the first three ODIs out of the five schedule ones; Team COC takes a look at the potential 15-man squad that might battle Windies in the 50-over format.
Given the trend to rest the star batsman of the team, it might be expected that Virat Kohli might be rested for the first three ODIs against Windies as well and Rohit Sharma might continue his captaincy reign in limited overs format after his Asia Cup 2018 triumph.
In the same vein, even Shikhar Dhawan might get a break after playing some non-stop cricket recently. The opening duties might fall on KL Rahul and Prithvi Shaw, along with Rohit Sharma. Ambati Rayudu and Shreyas Iyer might form the middle order of the team, with Iyer replacing Manish Pandey, who wasted his opportunities in Asia Cup 2018. Rayudu grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
MS Dhoni might continue as the wicketkeeper with Rishabh Pant acting his deputy and might get to flex his hitting muscles in limited overs as well. With Kedar Jadhav rendered injured, Baroda captain Deepak Hooda might get a chance to replace him in the squad as both he and Jadhav have the same skills of being a finisher and spinner.
Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav might continue their web of spin after Asia Cup success. Bhuvneshwar, along with Umesh Yadav might play the role of the senior fast bowlers in the team.
With Jasprit Bumrah most likely to be rested keeping the Australia tour in mind, the other remaining spots in the squad might possibly go to Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Siraj, both of whom have been impressive in the chances they have had.
Here is the schedule of ODI series:
1st ODI: 21st October in Guwahati
2nd ODI: 24th October in Visakhapatnam
3rd ODI: 27th October in Pune
4th ODI: 29th October in Mumbai
5th ODI: 1st November in Thiruvananthapuram
COC Predicted 15-man India squad for first three ODIs against Windies:
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj
