West Indies vs India 2017: West Indies Bowl First, Kuldeep Yadav Makes ODI Debut
Dec 31, 2018 at 1:56 PM
Cricket is really a funny game. The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the side was deemed to be the major conflict of interest between Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli – which resulted in Kumble having an exit from the Indian team.
The Head Coach wanted him to play during the long home season, whereas, skipper didn’t want him in the team and in the very next game which India is playing sans Kumble, Kuldeep has made his ODI debut. The wrist spinner has replaced Ravindra Jadeja for the first ODI. Along with him, Ajinkya Rahane too came in to open the innings with Shikhar Dhawan in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
Talking of the toss, the home side won it and asked India to bat first, on a pitch where the experts have reckoned the ball will turn much in the first innings of the game. For Windies, Kesrick Williams and Rovman Powell were the two players who did not get a place in playing XI.
It’s a tour for the Indian team where they have an opportunity to try out youngsters like Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav, so as to prepare them for big tournaments ahead.
Captains talk –
Virat Kohli:
The wicket looks pretty good. It was watered on top and rolled nicely. It should be a good track to bat on once the moisture dries off. We feel the wicket would slow down. It has been good. It is a learning experience. I have enjoyed the responsibility of being a captain. Always love coming back here. We love the place, we love playing cricket here. Nothing different from the past. It was a hiccup (loss against Pakistan in the CT final) for us as a team. In international cricket, you got to understand, you cannot win every time. Just address the same thing that has been addressed previously when you were winning. We just need to believe in our ability.
Jason Holder:
We are going to have a bowl first. The conditions won’t change much it seems. Hopefully, our guys will pick some wickets early. It looks a good surface. Last times we played here it didn’t change much. We have started our plans, our processes. The end result will take care of itself if we get the process right.
Playing XI –
Windies Playing XI: Evin Lewis, Kieran Powell, Shai Hope(w), Jason Mohammed, Roston Chase, Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder(c), Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Miguel Cummins.
India Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli(c), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav.