Photo by Linuconil (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

India open West Indies ODI series at Greenfield, where the visitors crashed for 104 last time

India begin their three-match ODI series against West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram today, with play starting at 2:00 PM IST and the toss at 1:30 PM. The series moves to Guwahati on September 30 and finishes in Mullanpur on October 3, before the two sides play five T20Is between October 6 and 17.

India's settled core, with Rohit back

Shubman Gill captains the one-day side, with KL Rahul as his deputy. The headline return is Rohit Sharma, who comes back after two months away from international cricket, and Virat Kohli is also in the squad.

With Ravindra Jadeja in the ranks as well, India have the experience to set the tone early in a series that forms part of their build-up to the next 50-over World Cup.

West Indies' pace against India's top order

Shai Hope leads West Indies, and John Campbell is back in the squad. The visitors' strength is their pace group: Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales, with Gudakesh Motie's left-arm spin as the main slow option and Roston Chase adding overs.

If the new ball swings early, as it has tended to here, that seam attack is West Indies' best chance of getting into India's top order.

What Greenfield has shown so far

This is only the ground's third ODI. The first ended badly for West Indies: in November 2018 they were bowled out for 104 in 31.5 overs, their lowest ODI total against India, with Jadeja taking 4 for 34, and India knocked the runs off in 14.5 overs to win by nine wickets.

The second, in January 2023, went the other way for batters: India made 390 for 5 against Sri Lanka and won by 317 runs.

The surface usually offers true bounce and carry. Bowlers can find help early, but batters who get through the new ball can score freely. With a 2:00 PM start, the second innings will finish under lights.

The weather

Forecasts point to a cloudy, humid day in Thiruvananthapuram, with a real chance of rain, so a shortened match cannot be ruled out.

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