After the whitewash inflicted on West Indies in the three-match T20 series, India will be keen to continue their winning run in the ODIs. The Virat Kohli led side has been one of the best teams in the fifty over format for quite some time now and West Indies will need to improve vastly if they are to mount any challenge to the visitors. West Indies were on a self-destruction mode in the T20 games and need calmer heads as fresh challenge awaits them. The visitors have a well-balanced team that will surely start as the favourites. A look at the players to watch out for. India vs West Indies 1st ODI 2019: Chris Gayle vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Other Exciting Mini Battles to Watch Out for at Guyana. 

Rohit Sharma – The Indian opener dominated headlines in the World Cup 2019 with some unreal performances. His five centuries helped India sail through the group stage in England and West Indies will be mindful of the quality he possesses. India will be hoping the Mumbai Indian skipper finds form early on in the tournament.

Virat Kohli – The no 1 ODI batsman has had a few games without a century and it is only a matter of time before normal service resumes. The pitch in Guyana does suit the pacers and this is where Virat Kohli can show his true class. He is also just 144 runs shy of being the highest scorer in India West Indies games in West Indies, a record that could tumble in the first ODI.

Ravindra Jadeja – The absence of Hardik Pandya opens up an opportunity for Ravindra Jadeja to shine at the no 7 spot. A gifted spinner who can chip in with the bat when needed, Jadeja provides a lot of stability in the playing eleven. He is also one of the best fielders in the game which is an added bonus. West Indies vs India Cricket Score 1st ODI Match. 

Shai Hope – Despite a very quiet World Cup, Shai Hope is a quality player that plays with a lot of responsibility. We saw in the T20s how the hosts struggled for partnerships and that could be corrected with Hope in the team. One of the qualities of this player is his ability to convert the fifties into centuries which is the need of the hour for the team.

Chris Gayle – The Universe Boss has had wonderful encounters with India in the past and his experience is valuable for the team. If the swashbuckling opener fires at the top of the order, the other batsmen can very well take their time to get accustomed to the conditions.

West Indies need to find a way past India’s fancies top-order which in the past has shown it is India’s chink in the armour. For India, it is a matter of playing their natural game which should be enough to clinch a win.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2019 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).