India vs West Indies 2013 : 1st ODI - Match Preview

Team India will take the field for the first time after the massive emotional outpouring which accompanied the Retirement of Sachin Tendulkar. In the 1st ODI at Kochi, India will look to extend their amazing run in the 50 over format, while the West Indies will look to salvage some pride after two successive innings defeats in the longer format of the game.

India have won the last 5 Series they have played in the 50 over format this year, and are the No.1 ranked ODI team in the World. Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma would look to continue their great form this year in the shorter format of the game, while Suresh Raina would want to get some runs under his belt at the crucial No.4 spot. This series is also very crucial for Yuvraj Singh, who had a disappointing series against the Aussies. Mahendra Singh Dhoni would also want to try out different bowling combinations in this 3 match series before the crucial South Africa Series. 

West Indies will be bolstered by the return of Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine to the squad. Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul and Jason Holder will also look to make the cut into the final XI. However, Kieron Pollard will be sorely missed for he lends a lot of balance to the side. Given Gayle’s poor form in this form of the game this calendar year, West Indies will hope that he comes good on the flat Indian wickets.

The Nehru Stadium, which has also been used for football quite often, has seen a lot of rain disruptions this year. And with some rain forecast for tomorrow as well, D/L could well come into the picture. The 13:30 start should minimize any Dew Effect later in the evening.

The first game of a short 3 game series is always very crucial, and the team which takes the lead in Kochi might well go on and win the series.