India vs West Indies 2023: Best Predicted ODI Squad Players List

Team India expected to put forward 16 names as we look at the confirmed best ODI squad and players list for India vs West Indies 2023. 

Please note, the official Squad is shared here. The below-mentioned article is a predicted squad.

Official Squad:

Rohit Sharma (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav,  Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik & Yuzvendra Chahal

Alright, as a normal routine since 2014, India have lost yet another ICC Final, now in the form of the World Test Championship. And as a normal routine, we have yet another Bilateral series lined-up. This time, the Indian team will be flying to West Indies and the USA for a month-long tour starting July 12. 

The month-long tour will comprise 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is. But the most important of all will be the ODI series, which will act as a prelude to the ODI World Cup 2023. The 3-match ODI series is sandwiched between the Test and T20Is series such that the Senior key players get enough rest in the T20I series.

Talking about the ODI series squad, India aren’t without their problems. Four of their first-choice players are nursing injury, and are in a recovery phase. This includes Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah. None of them will be able to feature in the West Indies, which leaves space for the younger players to take it.

So, with just over a month to go for the ODI series, and the squad not being announced yet, how about we analyze the players that can be a part of the ODI series vs West Indies? As usual, we will explore the players into different categories, Batters, Wicket-keepers, All-rounders, and Bowlers. 

Batters & WKs

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk) & Sanju Samson (wk)

The biggest challenge that India would face while selecting the batters and wicket-keepers for the West Indies tour is how will they fill the void created by Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. All three have been regular players of the Indian team for the past 2-3 years, but are now nursing injury, and won’t be available for the West Indies tour.

With this situation in hand, India don’t have any option but to give a chance to at least two new players in the squad, and those two shall most likely be finishers. Ishan Kishan selects for himself as the backup wicket-keeper and opener. With two new players required, Sanju Samson and attacking batter Jitesh Sharma seem the best available bet for India.

Both Sanju and Jitesh have been playing the role of backup for quite some time now in the Indian team, and look set for an ODI call-up. What’s more, they can play in the middle-order or as a finisher, and are good at wicket-keeping too. However, if India decide to give young talent a chance, Tilak Varma or Rinku Singh can also get a go. 

Apart from the new additions, Captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Virat Kohli shall continue to lead the batting duties for Team India in the ODI squad. Rohit, Shubman, and Virat form for a first-choice top-order. While SKY has had form issues in ODIs, it is only a matter of time before he unleashes himself in the shorter format. 

All-rounders

Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

For the all-rounder position, the absence of Washington Sundar makes things easy for the Indian team. Without a doubt, the Indian team will think of selecting Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadejas as the first-choice all-rounders of the team. Of the three, Hardik and Jadeja shall continue to remain as the primary all-rounders.

Bowlers

Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik & Yuzvendra Chahal

Coming to the bowling, there is not much to debate for the ODI setup. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna means Umran Malik and Shardul Thakur continue to get opportunities as the backup pacers in the squad. These two shall be supported by Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Shami in the pace department. 

There is again not much to debate for the spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal continuing to lead the spin department. There is also an option of selecting Ravi Bishnoi, but he should first get a T20I squad to recall before getting a chance in the ODI setup.  

India vs West Indies 2023 Best Predicted ODI Squad for Team India:

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli

WKs: Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma & Sanju Samson

All-rounders: Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik & Yuzvendra Chahal

So, that’s about the confirmed best squad for Team India for the ODI series vs West Indies. Overall, 14 players select for themselves. Whereas the main debatable points would be the players who would fill the void for Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. By the looks of it, Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma seem the best bet as of now.  Meanwhile, here’s the schedule for Team India for the ODI series vs West Indies.

India vs West Indies 2023 ODI Series Schedule:

• 1st ODI – July 27, 7 pm IST @ Barbados
• 2nd ODI – July 29, 7 pm IST @ Barbados
• 3rd ODI – August 01, 7 pm IST @ Trinidad

Thanks for reading! What’s your India vs West Indies 2023 ODI Squad and Players List? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.