IND vs WI LIVE: 3 Big questions Rahul Dravid faces ahead of 1st ODI

IND vs WI LIVE: Team India head coach Rahul Dravid faces a huge dilemma as the Men in Blue prepare for their ODI series against West Indies. With a host of first-team stars missing, Shikhar Dhawan will lead the Indian outfit, with a host of changes in order. India will have to ponder over Dhawan’s opening partner, their middle order and the bowling combination before they take the field on Friday. Follow India tour of West Indies live updates on Insidesport.IN

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IND vs WI LIVE: Selection headache for Rahul Dravid as India coach faces 3 BIG questions ahead of IND vs WI 1st ODI – Check out

1. Who will open with Dhawan?

Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side and open the batting for the visitors against the West Indies. However, in the absence of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, it is uncertain who will partner Dhawan at the top. Ishan Kishan, who was the backup opener for the series against England will be the top choice. However, should India opt for a right-left combination, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill could also come into consideration. Sanju Samson is also part of the squad and opened in the T20is against Ireland earlier this month.

2. Middle order muddle

While Suryakumar Yadav is a certainty, the same cannot be said for the other spots in the middle order. Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill will all be in contention for two or three spots in the middle order depending on the team combination. Iyer slotted in at No.3 in Virat Kohli’s absence in England but did not get to bat.

Gill could slot in the same slot, with Iyer struggling for runs in recent games. Samson is also an option should India opt for the Kerala-born batsman there. Ishan Kishan could also move down to No.3 should India opt for a left-right opening combination, with the Mumbai Indians star having scored a 50 on his ODI debut at the position last year.

Deepak Hooda meanwhile will be hopeful of making the side having impressed in his few chances in the side. Hooda’s ability to bowl spin would further to his benefit and the LSG star could very well slot in as the 6th bowling option in West Indies.

3. Bowling Combination (Spin heavy or pace heavy)

Rahul Dravid will also have a huge decision to make with his bowling attack. Despite conditions favouring spin, India are a little light on slow bowling options with only Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in the side. The Men in Blue could very field the trio together, but it would severely hamper their batting combination.

A decision on the pacers will also be difficult with Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mohammed Siraj on the side. Siraj and Krishna featured against England, while Shardul offers batting depth to the team. Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan have both impressed and earned their way into the squad and will be hopeful of featuring in the Caribbean.