India and West Indies will play the first ODI of the three-match series today. The match comes on the heels of the recently concluded Test series in which the Rohit Sharma-led side stopped just short of whitewashing their Caribbean opponents.
The ODI series has gained prominence for India ahead of two marquee 50-over events, namely the Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will be played in India. The series against West Indies will provide an opportunity for the team management to give young players a chance to cement their positions in the Indian XI.
The Indian team is reeling from the loss of many key players like pacer Jasprit Bumrah, wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. While the BCCI recently released an update on the fitness of these players and said that Jasprit Bumrah and fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna are in the final stages of their recovery, the Indian contingent will want to have other options ready in case the veterans don't reach full fitness before the two blockbuster events.
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