West Indies on a high
India start the ODI series against West Indies with odds of 1.25 to win the first game. Despite being whitewashed in South Africa, India remains a superior ODI side, as compared to West Indies, but the squad has a few COVID-19 positive cases just a few days ahead of the first game, forcing changes to their planned combinations.
West Indies beat England 3-2 in the recent T20I series and a fairly similar squad takes on India in the ODIs with veteran Kemar Roach a notable addition. West Indies are underdogs in this series, but with India’s team having uncertainties, an upset first up, the odds of which stand at 3.88, cannot be ruled out.
India’s spin woes and fairly similar recent records
India have struggled with their spin group in the recent past. Since the 2019 World Cup, India’s spinners have the second-worst average and worst economy rate among all teams.
RECOMMENDED BET: West Indies have a strong all-round group and with India battling with best team availability, Windies chances to win stand at 3.88.
Since the end of the 2019 ODI World Cup, both teams have fairly similar records. India have won 11 and lost 12 while West Indies have won 12 and lost 14.
Keep an eye on…
Ravi Bishnoi: The IPL star is likely to make his debut in the series and will be a different proposition for the West Indies. The mystery spinner has had immense success in the IPL and will be backed to do well in this series.
Jason Holder: Jason Holder has been brilliant with the ball in recent times, striking more than often with the new ball and then playing handy cameos with the bat.
TIP: The Kolkata pitch encourages stroke-making and a player scoring a hundred is likely to happen at 2.16. In four of the last 10 ODIs here we have had hundreds.