Match Preview: West Indies vs India, 1st ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados
The white ball leg of the tour, includes three ODIs, starting at Kensington Oval, Barbados. For India, it is the penultimate piece of their preparation going into the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup later this year at home
26 July, 2023
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The last two weeks have proved to be a successful outing for Team India in the Caribbean. It was a convincing Test series victory, although rain played spoilsport in the second Test at Queen’s Park. The series win ensures that the Men in Blue will march into the upcoming ODI series on a high, filled with positive intent.
The limited overs leg of the tour includes three ODIs, starting at Kensington Oval, Barbados, and India will look to make the most of it as the penultimate piece of their preparation going into the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup later this year at home. Hardik Pandya returns to the squad as the Vice Captain, and will be seen back in action for the first time since the TATA IPL final on May 29.
In the 50-over format, the two teams have locked horns 139 times, and India is only slightly ahead with 70 wins, with West Indies having 63 victories to their name. Four clashes have been abandoned, while two ended in ties.
In the past, The Kensington Oval has held the reputation of producing balanced wickets, assisting batters as well as bowlers. There’s pace and bounce aplenty, allowing the seamers enough room to attack.
In the second half of the games though, the batters have often enjoyed scoring runs, resulting in some thrilling chases — something the power-hitters like Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer will look forward to. Mohammad Siraj will come in place of Mohammed Shami.
With a rock-solid, in-form top-order and a mighty pace battery, Team India will look to continue their winning ways into the ODI series as well, while West Indies will focus on regrouping as a unit.
