India vs West Indies, 1st ODI Probable Playing XI - Who Will Bat At Number 7?

What will be India's playing XI vs West Indies in the 1st ODI.

Indian management's tactics will be tested in their preparation for the World Cup 2023 in the next ODI series against West Indies. The series will be the test of newly made full-time ODI captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid to explore new players and tactics. 

The Indian camp has been bit by covid ahead of the series which means Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shreyas Iyer won't be playing until further notice. 

The unavailability of Dhawan and Gaikwad means India lost their two opening options. BCCI immediately asked Mayank Agarwal to join the team. Mayank's addition means that the management sees Mayank as their fourth opener in the race of World Cup preparation. 

In the first ODI, Rohit will be opening with Mayank Agarwal followed by Virat Kohli at number 3. In the recently held ODI series against South Africa, Rishabh Pant played at number 4 in all three games and is expected to play at the same position. With no KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer for the first ODI, Suryakumar Yadav is likely to play at number 5. 

However, the real task is to identify players who can play at number 6 & 7, where they will be expected to play at a certain strike rate and finish the innings. With no Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, the two crucial positions are up for grabs. 

India has called up Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar. Both are spin-based all-rounders. If India is looking at this series as preparation and audition, there is a good chance of both Sundar and Hooda in the playing XI. 

They both can bowl decent spin and their inclusion means India will take the field with six bowling options and a good batting depth. However, the management needs to be patient in handling these two and help them prepare well for the role. 

If both Hooda and Sundar play, then India is likely to play either of Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar. Now, since Chahar is a new ball bowler who has a great ability to swing the ball both ways, he could be ahead in the pecking order. 

Shardul is at the most a first-change bowler. However, the other two pacers that should accompany Deepak are Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Siraj is a hit the deck bowler and should be developed into an all-phase bowler. 

Prasidh has the ability to move the ball and his tall height is an advantage India could exploit. That's why India should play three pacers - Deepak, Siraj, and Prasidh. 

Now talking about the specialist spinner, the management might go with Yuzvendra Chahal at least in the first ODI. 

India Probable Playing XI - Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal