Match Details:
The first ODI between India and West Indies will be played at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on December 15 on Sunday. The live telecast for the match begins at 2:00 PM IST.
Preview:
Chennai is ready to host the opening encounter of the three-match ODI series between India and West Indies on the upcoming Sunday. It also marks the beginning of India’s last international series in the year 2019.
After winning a rather closely fought T20I series by a margin of 2-1, the hosts start as overwhelming favorites in the upcoming ODI series. The gulf between the two sides is far too much for West Indies to think of any upset in one of India’s strongest format in the game. A side filled with T20 freelancers; the visitors might have missed their best chance to beat India in their home conditions. It will be a daunting task for Keiron Pollard and his boys to come any close to this dominant Indian force in conditions that they have ruled for quite sometime now. On the other hand, the hosts would want to end the
year on a high and inch closer to the numero uno position in ICC ODI Team
rankings.
Weather Report:
The weather is expected to stay clear for the entire course of the match. It will be partly cloudy for the majority of the day with light winds blowing during the latter half of the day. There are 5% chances of precipitation during the day while it goes up to 25% during the night. However, no rain is predicted at any time in the day.
Pitch report:
The pitch at Chepauk is traditionally known to assist spinners. The stroke play isn’t easier as the ball holds and grips into the surface. The wicket tends to get even slower as the match progresses. But being a Day/Night fixture, bowling first might not be a poor choice either as dew during the evening allows the ball to skid onto the bat, hence making stroke play a lot easier.
Total Matches played – 21
Won batting 1 st – 13
Won bowling 1 st – 7
Average 1 st innings score – 239
Average 2nd innings score – 214
https://www.instagram.com/p/B58HgQVg5xb/
Injury and availability:
India’s fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar is doubtful for the first match in Chennai. The seamer, who’s making a comeback post-injury didn’t take any part of India’s first practice session at the Chepauk.
Probable playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma (VC), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammad Shami
West Indies: Shai Hope (WK), Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (C), Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh
Top Picks for Fantasy cricket:
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the two usual picks for any Fantasy Cricket team. The two-best batsman in this format, both have had a spectacular run-in the year has gone by.
For West Indies, Shai Hope is in some great form after his recent success against Afghanistan. Skipper Kieron Pollard is also an automatic choice as a premier all-rounder in any Fantasy XI.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, ShaiHope, Evin Lewis
Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer, Kieron Pollard, KL Rahul, Nicolas Pooran
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5706PBgnIf/
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper: Shai Hope
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Evin Lewis, Shreyas Iyer
All-rounders: Kieron Pollard, Roston Chase
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Sheldon Cottrell
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper: Shai Hope
Batters: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Shimron Hetmyer
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Sheldon Cottrell
Expert Tips for Fantasy Cricket:
Chepauk is expected to produce a spin-friendly pitch, even though batsmen usually enjoy their time out there in the middle. It will be ideal to include Yadav and Kohli as the first players in any Fantasy Cricket XI for the match on Sunday. One can go in with a combination of 7 Indians along with with4 West Indies players in their fantasy cricket team.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B58FsDkgpVg/
Probable Winners:
India starts the series as favorites and is likely to take a 1-0 lead at the end of the game in Chennai. It is no brainer to include most of the Indian players in the Fantasy XI.
