India's Strongest Possible Playing XI For West Indies ODI Series

Indian cricket team had a below-par England tour where they lost both the ODI and Test Series after a brilliant start in the T20 Series. The Indian team fought brilliantly in the ODI series but were completely outplayed in the Test series.

The Indian team has got its form back on returning to Asia as the team is looking in red-hot form in the ongoing Asia Cup. Rohit's team has won all the three matches and has comprehensively defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh in the competition.

Indian team look like favourites to win the Asia Cup and the fans would next look forward to the West Indies series. The team selection for the West Indies series would be more interesting to watch than the action on the field as the series promises to be a one-sided affair irrespective of the team India pick.

The selectors had rested Virat Kohli for the Asia Cup and they would be in a dilemma of whether to go into the West Indies series with a full-strength side or not. They may opt to rest a few key players for the series but given the competition for places in the Indian team no player apart from Virat Kohli would be interested in leaving their place to their competitors.

On that note, let's have a look at the strongest possible Indian XI which might play against West Indies:

Openers:

Shikhar Dhawan is one player who has been in scintillating form over the past year and he has been one of the main reasons for India's dominating display. He is the best opener in the Indian setup and with his impressive performances in the IPL and the Asia Cup, he is a certainty in the Playing XI for the West Indies series.

Dhawan has been playing for India continuously this year in all formats and he would have liked some rest but with Rahul waiting in the wings, he is unlikely to opt out of the series. His opening partner would be the Indian Vice Captain Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma has been the second opener of the Indian side for a number of years now. He has turned out to be a totally different player in ODIs ever since he was asked to open in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He has the ability to score big daddy hundreds and will be an important part of the ODI side.

Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik & MS Dhoni

Virat Kohli is most likely to be back for the Indian team after opting out of the Asia Cup and he will come back to his place at number 3 in the batting line up. Indian fans would expect Virat Kohli to have a run feast in this series after a successful England series.

The number 4 slot is one spot which would invite the maximum amount of debate. Players like Ambati Rayudu, KL Rahul and Manish Pandey will all be competing for the slot but it has to be Dinesh Karthik because of the scintillating form he has been in over the last year or so and also because of the fact that he has performed pretty well for the side whenever he given an opportunity.

MS Dhoni will be India's Wicketkeeper for the West Indies series as well and this series could be an important one for Dhoni as he hasn't been performing well recently and it is important for him to cement his place in the Indian side with a good performance.

All Rounders: Kedhar Jadhav & Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to an injury and is doubtful for the West Indies series as well. He is a vital part of the present Indian team and he will definitely find a place in the strongest playing XI.

Pandya might miss the Test series against West Indies but if he misses the ODI series as well then a player like Krunal Pandya might take his place. Kedhar Jadhav will be the other All rounder in the playing XI.

Jadhav has been brilliant with the ball in the Asia Cup but his performance in the only opportunity that he got with the bat was below-par. He will definitely get a place for the West Indies series but has to perform with the bat to secure his position in the Indian team.

Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja & Kuldeep Yadav

Another spot which would be up for debate is Chahal's. He was the main spinner of the Indian side from last year but his performance since the IPL has been poor.

Jadeja had a poor IPL but his recent form has been brilliant and he has performed well for India in both Tests and ODIs. His batting ability will be an added advantage and India would do well with another All rounder in their side.

Kuldeep Yadav is one of the best spinners in cricket at present and is an extremely talented young lad that India has identified. He has the ability to turn the ball on any surface and him being a wrist spinner is an added advantage. He has performed brilliantly for India in England and UAE and this has made him the premier spinner of the Indian team ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal.

Pace Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Jasprit Bumrah

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the most important bowler of the Indian side across all formats. His ability to swing the ball both ways and his ability to bowl accurate yorkers will make him an extremely difficult bowler to handle in any conditions.

Kumar will be an important weapon for the Indian team in next year's World Cup and it is important that he gets maximum matches under his belt before the competition. His bowling partner will be Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah has been an important bowler for the Indian side ever since he made his debut for the Indian side in the series against Australia in 2015. He has redefined death bowling in International cricket and his slingy action is an added advantage.