(CMC) – Still smarting from the humiliation of failing to qualify for the ICC World Cup later this year, West Indies face an immediate test of their mettle when they clash with powerhouses India in the first of three One-Day Internationals today.
The Caribbean side flopped spectacularly in the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe last month, defeats to the hosts, the Netherlands and Scotland sealing their absence from the global 50-over showpiece for the first time ever.
Speaking ahead of the opener at the storied Kensington Oval, Captain Shai Hope said the series represented an opportunity for West Indies to redeem themselves, in the wake of the Zimbabwe disappointment. “It’s an opportunity for us to bounce back. We know what happened in the last two games during the Test series. [but] it’s a different format,” the prolific stroke-maker told reporters yesterday.
“It’s another opportunity for us to showcase our skills and show the world what we can [do]. We know the Zimbabwe stint is in the past and this is another opportunity for us to improve our skills. “There are certain things we need to address but now is a good start to do so.” West Indies enter the series with an unenviable record against the visitors. Such has been their fortunes, they have not beaten India in a series in 17 years and have won only 10 ODIs in 48 meetings during that period.
Further, they have won only one of their last 12 bilateral ODIs against inside the last five years, leaving them as firm underdogs in the upcoming series.
But despite the lack of success against their opponents of late, Hope said West Indies were still focussed on upsetting India.
“Anytime we cross that line the aim is to win. We know that we can’t always win but everything we do is geared towards that win and that victory at the end of the day,” he explained. “So our plans that we have in place, as long as we execute them I’m sure that we’ll get some victories.”
India will be without key players for the series with the likes of Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah all absent for various reasons.
But having watched India’s dominance globally in recent times, Hope said West Indies would not be lured into a false sense of security. “All the Indian cricketers of late have been showcasing their skills on the world stage and we all know they’re quality players so you have to respect them for what they do,” Hope said.
“I am one personally who don’t play names but the thing is, anyone can play that role for each team in any situation.
“So yes, we know they have some experienced guys missing but we also know the new ones in the team can do the job so we need to respect the game, respect their skills and make sure we have plans to combat anything they throw at us.” West Indies have recalled left-hander Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowler Oshane Thomas after protracted spells on the sidelines, while batsman Nicholas Pooran and all-rounder Jason Holder are unavailable for the series. The first ODI bowls off at 9:30 am.
SQUADS:
WEST INDIES – Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell, Alick Athanaze, Kyle Mayers, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Jayden Seales
INDIA – Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik