India vs West Indies 2018: 3 Indian players to watch out for in the ODI series

Team India's home dominance in Test cricket continued as they won a record-equaling consecutive tenth series at home. Windies were mauled as the hosts completed a 2-0 whitewash. West Indies have not won a Test series against India since 2002.

Since 2002, Windies have failed to win even a Test match against India and even in this series, both the matches ended within three days that shows the disparity between the two sides.

But for now, the action shifts to limited overs cricket in which Windies are expected to show some fight. Windies made it to the World Cup 2019 by the virtue of finishing runner-ups in the World Cup qualifiers 2018 and now they will be up against the No.2 ODI side.

All the ODI matches played during this period will be in synchronization with preparation for the World Cup 2019 and India will look to solve their prolonged middle-order muddle.

On that note, let us have a look at some Indian players for whom this series means a lot:

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#1. Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu will look to seal his spot

The flamboyant Andhra-born batsman had a splendid IPL season. He scored 602 runs at an average of 43.00 with a staggering strike rate of 149.75. His fabulous show with the bat played a crucial role in Chennai Super Kings' victorious campaign.

As expected, he received a national call-up for the limited overs series against England, but unfortunately, he could not travel along with the team as he failed to clear the mandatory fitness test- The Yo-Yo Test.

He finally cleared the Test in his second attempt. He was called back to the National Team for the Asia Cup series and in the 6 innings he played during the tournament, he scored 175 runs at a good average of 43.75.

Rayudu has been performing well in whatever limited opportunities he has got and this series might be an opportunity for him to seal his spot in India's ODI setup.

#2. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja made an ODI comeback during the Asia Cup 2018

While all the talks before the Asia Cup were about India sorting out their middle-order headache, they managed to add one more after the tournament. Ravindra Jadeja got a chance of redemption when Hardik Pandya got injured during the tournament.

Jadeja had last played an ODI in July 2017. Making a comeback after nearly 15 months, he scalped four wickets in his comeback match against Bangladesh. He ended up with 7 wickets in the tournament at an average of 22.28. He was economical throughout the tournament as his economy was 4.46 after 4 matches.

Batting at lower order, he also scored crucial 48 runs in 2 innings. For a player of his calibre, it will be unlucky on his part to miss the mega event in 2019 and he too would like to make every opportunity count to remain in contention for the World Cup 2019.

#3. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has received his maiden ODI call-up for the ODI series against the Windies

The process of transition has begun as Rishabh Pant received his maiden ODI call-up for the upcoming ODI Series vs Windies. Albeit as a pure batsman, he managed to nudge ahead of Dinesh Karthik who struggled to score runs in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2018.

With Dhoni's career almost nearing an end in all likelihood, Rishabh Pant is being looked upon his likely successor.

He was one of the leading run scorers in this years' IPL. He made his Test debut during the England Tour and scored his maiden Test ton in his sixth Test innings. He continued his stellar performance in the Windies Test series too as he struck a brilliant 92 in both the innings he played.

Known for his big-hitting prowess in the domestic circuit and IPL, the onus will be on Pant to deliver the final blows in the absence of Hardik Pandya.

This series might be the opportunity for Pant to shine and make a mark in the international arena.