Unscathed India face dismantled West Indies

India vs West Indies might still be a very good contest in T20Is, but ODIs? Everyone would pick India as a favorite. Indeed, India are currently one of the best sides in the world and World Cup hot favorites, whereas West Indies are slugging behind day by day. And before their clash at Manchester, the only question will be if the Caribbeans can cause an upset.
After New Zealand’s defeat to Pakistan, India are the only side to remain unbeaten in this World Cup. They sit third on the points table with nine points, the only point they dropped was against New Zealand in a washed out game. On the other hand, West Indies sit eighth on the table, courtesy of their solitary victory against Pakistan and a washed out game against South Africa. 
India have been struck a blow with their star opener Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out of the World Cup with a thumb injury. KL Rahul has done okay, but India’s real concern is their No.4 position. Vijay Shankar looks an odd choice as his batting is considered below par considering India have Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik in their ranks. India’s bowling lineup though, is in fine fettle as all of their bowlers have looked in form. Both of their wrist spinners have been dangerous, Mohammad Shami picked up a hattrick in their last match against Afghanistan and Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s number one bowler, needs no further introduction. 

The star man of West Indies, Andre Russell is out of the tournament and Sunil Ambris has been called up to replace him. But the Caribeeans should be tensed with their bowling lineup, which hasn’t been able to trouble opposing batsmen, except for the exception in their first match against Pakistan. Another thing they have to think about is their carelessness in finishing the game as they gifted their games against Australia and New Zealand to their opposition. West Indies have nothing to lose, and they are likely to go all out to cause an upset.
India have won 24 of their last 36 games against West Indies, whereas West Indies have won only nine. Virat Kohli has 1,840 runs against the Carribeans, and Rohit Sharma scores at an average of 65 against them, if India want to score big, they would want two of their star men to fire.

Teams 

India are unlikely to make any changes from their narrow victory against Afghanistan. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has started bowling in the nets, but India will most probably not risk him. 
Possible Lineup - 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. KL Rahul, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Vijay Shankar, 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Kedar Jadhav, 8. Kuldeep Yadav, 9. Yuzvendra Chahal, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

West Indies might bring in Sunil Ambris if Evin Lewis is deemed unfit, while Kemar Roach is likely to be in the team ahead of Shannon Gabriel. 
Possible Lineup - 1. Chris Gayle, 2. Evin Lewis/Sunil Ambris, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Nicholas Pooran, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Carlos Brathwaite, 7. Jason Holder (c), 8. Ashley Nurse, 9. Kemar Roach, 10. Sheldon Cottrell, 11. Oshane Thomas

Pitch and Weather 

There is absolutely zero possibility of rain at Manchester on Thursday, and the Old Trafford pitch is likely to be a batting heaven.