ODI series preview: India v West Indies

Cricket365
November 20, 2013

And so the madness of the Sachin Tendulkar farewell tour fades into the background, as the India versus West Indies action moves into one-day territory for a three-match series at smaller venues.

While the Windies are better in this format that they are in Tests, having been thrashed in both matches against the hosts in well under five days each time, they are still set for a drubbing.

The Windies have not won an ODI away from home this year, and have only won seven out of 20 games since January. India are the number one ODI side for a reason, and the Windies will do well to win a match.

The most recent ODI series in India, against Australia earlier this month, saw India win the series three-two with two games abandoned. But they scored over 300 runs four times out of five, as the wickets played like tar roads.

This could bode well for the Caribbean side, with Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and the Bravo brothers in attendance. If any batting line up can challenge the hegemony of Virat Kohli and company, it's this one.

This is especially true given India's relatively poor bowling attack, which saw the Aussies also reach 300 more than once. Mohammed Shami emerged from that series as their saving grace, and carried that form into the Tests. More of the same from him is required.

As for the Windies bowlers, Samuels and Shane Shillingford will be extra careful after their actions were reported to the ICC. They must have their bowling techniques checked in the next two weeks, though they can bowl in the series.

Shillingford's loss would be disastrous, given how successful he was in the Tests (though a dodgy action could be responsible, in retrospect) but there is still spinner Sunil Narine to call upon if the seamers fail up front.

Key Men For the hosts, opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan will be vital if big scores are to be achieved. His opening stands with Rohit Sharma were delightful to watch, and more such knocks will ensure victory.

The Windies will look to seasoned campaigner, both for this side and in the IPL, Marlon Samuels. His all-round ability can swing a match, as was seen at the World Twenty20 last year, and if the tracks are as flat as against the Aussies, then we're in for some big scores.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results 2013, Third ODI: India won by 102 runs in Port-of-Spain 2013, Second ODI: West Indies won by one wicket in Kingston 2013, Champions Trophy: India won by eight wickets at The Oval 2011, Fifth ODI: India won by 34 runs in Chennai 2011, Fourth ODI: India won by 153 runs in Indore

Prediction India will win the series with the first two matches, provided rain stays away, before the visitors fight back in the final game to restore some pride in Kanpur and avoid a whitewash.

Squads India: MS Dhoni (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu, Amit Mishra, Jaydev Unadkat, R Vinay Kumar, Mohit Sharma

West Indies: Dwayne Bravo (capt), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Narsingh Deonarine, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons

Fixtures First ODI: 21 November in Kochi Second ODI: 24 November in Visakhapatnam Third ODI: 27 November in Kanpur