India's predicted playing XI for the first ODI against West Indies

After beating West Indies 2-0 in the recently-concluded two-match ODI series, India will take on the men from the Caribbean islands in the first of the five-match ODI series that will get underway in Guwahati on October 21.

The selectors have named a strong 14-member squad to take on Jason Holder and co. and will hope that the concerns in the middle order are addressed before the end of the series as it will help the team management prepare for the World Cup that will take place next year.

A lot of changes can be expected in the side throughout the series as the team management will try out different players before they get their final combination.

Let us take a look at how India will line up for the first ODI that will be played on Sunday.

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Openers

Over the last few years, the burden of India's batting has been put on the Indian openers and Virat Kohli and the openers have not disappointed the faith the team management has in them as they score runs for the team in this format on a consistent basis.

The selectors have named three openers in Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul for the first two ODIs. But, the decision to pick the two batsmen who will get the innings underway for India is an easy one for the team management, as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan pick themselves in the ODI XI, thanks to their heroics at the top of the order.

Without a doubt, both Rohit and Shikhar are two of the best ODI batsmen in the world which is evident by their rankings in the ODI batsmen's chart as they are ranked second and fifth respectively. As an opening combination, the Rohit-Shikhar combo is easily the most consistent ODI opening combination in the world.

Unless an injury rules one of these two men out, it will be very difficult for Rahul to get into the side.

Middle-order

Virat Kohli will bat at number 3

While everyone expected skipper Virat Kohli to be rested for this series, the selectors have picked him for the first two ODIs. So, he is certain to walk out to bat at the walk of the first wicket.

With MS Dhoni likely to bat at either number 4 or 5, the remaining sports in the middle order will be a toss-up between Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey and Rishabh Pant. Thanks to his recent heroics, southpaw Rishabh Pant is likely to feature in the XI and bring in some variety in the Indian batting order.

Manish Pandey has been in fine form for India A and didn't get enough chances with the Indian side of late. Rayudu, on the other hand, had a decent Asia Cup 2018 where he did a decent job as he scored two fifties in the tournament.

On current form, Rayudu is better than Manish and is likely to get the nod over the Karnataka batsman.

Wicketkeeper and all-rounder

Rishabh Pant will play as a specialist batsman while MS Dhoni will keep wickets

The selectors have named as many as three wicketkeepers in the playing XI and two of them, MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant, are likely to feature in the playing XI. MS Dhoni, whose batting powers are on the wane, will be the wicketkeeper while Pant will play as a specialist batsman. This series is very crucial for Dhoni as he will be looking to find some form with the bat before it becomes too little too late for him.

In the absence of Hardik Pandya, the selectors have named Ravindra Jadeja as the all-rounder in the side. Jadeja has been phenomenal of late and has grabbed the chances with both his hands after making a comeback to the ODI side. He will be batting at number 7 and will be the third spinner in the side.

Spinners

Both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will look to continue their good work with the ball

Over the last year, the Indian wrist spinners have taken the world by storm as they dominated every single batting unit they bowled at in ODIs. Both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav complement each other well as they not only keep the run rate under check in the middle overs but also put pressure on the opposition by taking wickets at regular intervals.

Both of them are likely to play the first two ODIs and in all likelihood, Kuldeep could be rested for the upcoming ODIs keeping the Australia series in mind.

Pacers

Umesh Yadav replaced an injured Shardul Thakur in the Indian squad

When the squad for the ODI series was announced, the first-choice Indian new-ball attack of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah were not named in the squad as the selectors have given them some much-needed break. In their absence, Mohammed Shami comes back into the side alongside Khaleel Ahmed and Shardul Thakur.

Unfortunately, Shardul injured himself in the second Test against West Indies and was replaced by Umesh Yadav for the first two matches. Khaleel is a certainty to feature in the playing XI and the remaining slot will be rotated between Shami and Umesh with Shami getting the first preference on the virtue of being named in the initial squad.

This is the perfect chance for the pacers to prove themselves and put themselves in contention for the 2019 World Cup.