After a competitive T20I series, Team India will be locking horns with the West Indies for a three-match ODI series scheduled to be starting on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. While both teams have won their previous ODI series before this one, India is considered as the favorites as they had defeated the Caribbean at their home earlier this year as well.

Although a couple of injury concerns have popped up of late, India will be eyeing for better balance in the squad. However, the men in blue have an impeccable record in home conditions. On the other hand, West Indies will be looking to identify a winning combination with Kieron Pollard leading the squad. With a young and dynamic side at his disposal, Pollard might produce an upset. 

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Traditionally, the Chennai pitch has been known to produce spin-friendly conditions, hence, it is expected to be on the slower side. Question marks remain over the weather with the city witnessing brief spells of rain over the last couple of days. The forecast is clear for Sunday though. Batting first would be the ideal option upon winning the toss with the spinners bound to have a say as the game progresses. With a good and competitive game on the cards, here are some of the predictions for the game:

India

India has drafted in Mayank Agarwal as a replacement of injured Shikhar Dhawan in the squad and hence, KL Rahul is expected to open the innings alongside the deputy skipper, Rohit Sharma. Shardul Thakur has made a late entry to replace the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar but doesn’t be surprised if India opts to play just two specialist pacers on the slowish Chepauk surface.

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Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar can be expected to perform the pace duties as the latter had an experience of playing in these conditions quite a lot for CSK in IPL. The return of the wrist-spin duo Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal can also be expected sighting the spin-friendly conditions.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami

West Indies

West Indies will take a late call on Evin Lewis after he injured himself in the final T20I. If he does miss out, Brandon King might take his spot in the playing XI. The visitors are not expected to tinker a lot with the combination that helped them beat Afghanistan recently. As per the expectation, Sheldon Cottrell is expected to lead the pace attack along with Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder, and Romario Shepherd. On the other hand, Hayden Walsh jr. and Roston Chase will be expected to perform the spin duties.

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Predicted XI: Evin Lewis/Brandon King, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Kieron Pollard (C), Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh, Alzarri Joseph.

Fantasy XI:

Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Kieron Pollard, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Yuzvendra Chahal (vc), Mohammed Shami, and Deepak Chahar.