Preview: Rohit Sharma's presence as the new leader, with a fresh template to arrest the familiar 'middle-order muddle', is exactly what the Indian team needs while ushering in a new era, which will begin with the ODI series against the West Indies, beginning here on Sunday.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

After a rude reality check against a weak South African side in the away series, India are now back in familiar settings with a new ODI captain in Rohit, who will team up with illustrious Rahul Dravid and strive to get India back to winning ways.


The series-opener is the historic 1000th ODI for India, who would like to begin their preparations for the 2023 World Cup after failing to win the coveted trophy in 2015 and 2019, and the team will indeed look at a paradigm shift in strategy.


The 'Rohit-Dravid' duo over the course of the next few months will underline the 'Men in Blue's' philosophy in the 50-over format after it became clear that some rejigging is needed as a part of course correction.


Thus, the series beginning Sunday would be the perfect platform to focus on setting their struggling middle-order right.


Firstly, skipper Rohit, one of the finest white-ball exponents, will have to lead from the front.


With KL Rahul unavailable in the first game, and other specialist openers Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad both testing COVID-19 positive, it will be Ishan Kishan who would be opening the batting with the skipper.


When and what time will the first ODI match between India vs West Indies start?


The first ODI between India vs West Indies begins on February 5 at 1.30 PM IST.


Where will the first ODI match between India vs West Indies take place?


The first ODI match between India vs West Indies will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.


Which channel will telecast the first ODI match between India vs West Indies in India?


The first ODI match between India vs West Indies will be available on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, and Star Sports Hindi.


How to watch the live streaming of the first ODI match between India vs West Indies in India?


The first ODI match between India vs West Indies will stream live on the Disney+Hotsar app and website.


Teams (From):


India: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Mayank Agarwal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan.


West Indies: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Fabian Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Nicolas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Romario Shepard, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.


Match starts at 1.30 PM


With inputs from PTI