All eyes will be fixed on the Cricket World Cup for the visitors when the West Indies face India in an ODI series. The West Indies won’t be at the showpiece and can demonstrate to the world what they will be missing.
West Indies vs India | First ODI | Thursday 27 July 2023 | The Kensington Oval, Barbados
Odds TBA*
Complacency appeared to creep into the West Indies set up during their Cricket World Cup qualifier run but it won’t be present when they face India.
If the West Indies are slightly off their game, India will canter to victory without doubt and even if the hosts play beyond themselves they will have a hard time keeping up.
The West Indies have explosive batting and top-class bowlers but putting the package together has been their struggle.
They have also let standards slip in the field which is usually a sign of a team in disarray.
For India this series will serve as crucial preparation for a tilt at the top prize in cricket on home soil.
However, we could still see a fair amount of rotation and experimentation from India as they also seek to get new blood exposed to international cricket.
Seamer Mukesh Kumar is finally set to make his ODI debut having received his first call-up to the squad in September 2022.
India would like to nail down an opening partner for Rohit Sharma in this series with plenty of options about.
Verdict: India
India should dominate this match and the series.
