India men are currently on a tour of the West Indies for a multi-format series. Following the two-match Test series, it is time for the WI vs IND ODI series and we bring all the information you need about it.
The men in blue will look at this series as an opportunity to give more playing time to the players in contention for the ODI World Cup at home later this year. West Indies, on the other hand, have to put their disappointment in the ICC CWC Qualifiers where they failed to advance through to the marquee event for the first time in history.
The last time these two faced each other in the fifty-over format was in July last year when India toured the Caribbean islands for a limited-overs series. West Indies came close to winning the first match while chasing 309 but fell short by three runs. The second game was also competitive, with the hosts reducing India to 205 for 5 while defending 312 before Axar Patel and the tail snatched the game. The third ODI was pretty one-sided as India hammered the Windies by 119 runs in a rain-shortened game to complete a clean sweep.
Before the two teams clash in the limited overs series, here’s everything you need to know about the WI vs IND 2023 ODI series fixtures, where to watch and top players to watch out for.
WI vs IND 2023 fixtures
India’s tour of the Caribbean began with two Tests in Dominica and Port of Spain. There’s a three-day gap between the second Test and the beginning of the limited-overs series.
The ODI series opener is scheduled for July 27 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The second game will be hosted at the same venue on July 29. The two teams will then clash in the third and final ODI at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad on August 1.
- July 27, 1st ODI – Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
- July 29, 2nd ODI – Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
- August 1, 3rd ODI – Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
India men’s squads for WI vs IND series
It is understood that India’s selection panel has identified a group of players that will be in contention for a spot in the ODI World Cup and will look to bring stability as they gear up for the marquee tournament.
Rohit Sharma will lead the side with Hardik Pandya as his deputy. With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Shami and KL Rahul unavailable due to injuries or rest, this series offers other players an opportunity to shine. Suryakumar Yadav, who hasn’t had a great time in the format, will hope to turn things around while Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are vying for a wicket-keeper’s spot.
From the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj will lead the attack with Mukesh Kumar, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat as other pace options. India has Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal in the spin department.
India ODI squad
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (vc), Virat Kohli, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Umran Malik, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson (wk), Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav, Suryakumar Yadav
Where to watch the WI vs IND in India
Fans living in India will have several options to witness the live action of the WI vs IND ODI series. For television viewers, the West Indies vs India ODIs will have a live broadcast on Doordarshan Sports.
For those who like online streaming, there are a couple of ways you can watch the matches. The FanCode streaming service will be streaming the entire WI vs IND series. However, to watch the matches live on FanCode, you will need to have a paid subscription. You can get a monthly pass for INR 99 with which you can catch all the live tournaments on the platform for a month or get a yearly pass at INR 699.
Jio Cinema is also streaming the series live on its website and mobile application. You can watch all the matches on Jio Cinema for free.
Top Players to watch out for in WI vs IND ODI series
Shubman Gill (India)
Shubman Gill had poor returns in the Test and he will be hoping to make amends in the ODI leg. The young batter has cemented his place in this format at the top of the order with consistent performances over the past year. He has 1311 runs from 24 ODIs at an average of 65 while striking at 107. Gill has hammered four hundreds and five fifties in the format.
Axar Patel (India)
With the pitches in the Caribbean assisting spinners, there’s a good chance both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja feature in the playing XI alongwith Kuldeep Yadav. The all-rounder has been in great form with the bat and is a potent left arm spinner. Axar has 58 wickets in ODI cricket at an economy of 4.52 while scoring two fifties with the bat.
Virat Kohli (India)
Virat Kohli has been at the top of his game since last year. He has carried that form on this tour, scoring 76 and 121 in the Test series. As for the fifty-over format, the Indian superstar has scored 540 runs in the last 10 matches at a strike rate of 117. Kohli has smashed three ODI centuries in this period.
Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)
Nicholas Pooran has been in incredible form with the bat. He was the best batter for West Indies in the WC qualifiers, where he scored 350 runs from seven innings at an average of 70 while striking at a superb 117. Pooran smashed two centuries in the tournament and will be a player to watch out for in this series.
Mohammed Siraj (India)
Mohammed Siraj has quickly become one of the frontline bowlers for India in the fifty-over format. He has played 24 ODIs so far, picking 43 wickets at an economy of 4.78 while striking at every 26th delivery. The right arm pacer has 19 scalps from eight games this year at 17.1 strike rate.
