IND vs Westidies 2022: ODI series to be played in Ahmedabad on 6th Feb
The Westindies- India ODI series begins on the 6th of February. The first match will be played in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera. The ODI will be a very special and historic match as India will be playing its 1000th ODI. The Indian team will be the first cricket team in the world to achieve this feat.
As per the original schedule, West Indies were slated to play three ODIs in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata and three T20Is in Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram. However, due to a surge in Covid-19 cases across the country in the last month, the BCCI decided to hold the white-ball series in just two venues – Ahmedabad and Kolkata.
India’s limited-overs squad selection for the upcoming home assignments against the West Indies marked the return of an old template, wrist-spin taking center-stage again. After a long hiatus, Kuldeep Yadav is back to the 50-over fold to pair up with Yuzvendra Chahal, while Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t been included either in the ODI squad or for the T20Is.
With skipper and opener Rohit Sharma, who missed South Africa ODIs due to a hamstring injury, coming back in the picture, KL Rahul is likely to draft back in the middle order. Rahul, however, will be available from the second ODI onwards. The biggest headache would be finalizing the lower order with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel being unavailable due to fitness concerns.
Selecting the bowling attack might also require some brainstorming. Speedsters Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been given rest. Hence, youngsters and non-regulars have a great chance to make a mark. Notably, selectors have awarded the likes of Deepak Hooda and Ravi Bishnoi for their impressive show on the domestic circuit.
On the other hand, the Westindies team has been doing well in the Betway T20I Series against England in Barbados. They have demonstrated great skill and fight and the morale will be very high when they lock horns at the series opener at Ahmedabad. So cricket lovers will have a very exciting session in the coming days.
