India vs West Indies 1st ODI 2009: Preview, Live Score

India and West Indies are going to take on each other in the first of the four-match ODI series at the Sabina Park, Jamaica on 26 June 2009. Following India’s disappointing performance in the recent twenty20 world cup, Dhoni and his men are determined to retain some of their pride through this series, while West Indies is looking to continue the momentum they achieved in the twenty20 world cup in England.

Match: West Indies vs India, First ODI, Four-Match ODI Series

Date: 26 June 2009

Venue: Sabina Park, Jamaica

Kick off: 14:30 GMT (09:30 Local Time)

Indian team is missing some of their key players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan as well as Suresh Raina due to injury. Still, they have some key players like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh as well as captain and wicketkeeper Dhoni who could be vital for the visitors.

India failed to reach the semi final of twenty20 world cup, having lost all three super eight games. Naturally, they are now gearing up to come back in winning run again in the upcoming series. Moreover, the team includes some players who were absent in the twenty20 world cup. Naturally, they are now afresh enough to give their best and there is less possibility team India would suffer from fatigue.

First of all, experienced pacer Ashish Nehra has been back into the ODI squad after sitting out for four years. It is expected that he will be part of India’s first eleven tomorrow. Ravindra Jadeja and Badrinath will most probably play in the first ODI, but I am not sure if uncapped Abhishek Nayar will be given his debut match for India in the first match of the series. In the absence of Sehwag, I think, Rohit Sharma will continue his job in the opening slot alongside Gambhir, but there is a possibility that wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik could open for India tomorrow. However, I think India could also play specialist opener Murali Vijay. Harbhajan will be the only specialist spinner alongside a three-men pace attack that includes Ishant Sharma, RP Singh and Nehra.

For West Indies, the task seems to pretty much easier because they know they have been in good form and have done enough to remain inspired ahead of the series. Well, it does not mean that West Indies has any scope of showing complacency at this moment. In fact, West Indies captain Chris Gayle indicated that the home side was not going to take India lightly.

BBC reported:

"Tendulkar and Sehwag are two world-class players," said Gayle.

"But India still have quality players to step up and a lot of experience in one-day cricket. It's never a walkover against India."

Online Live Score and Updates

You can find the live score and updates of the match from Cricinfo, Cricbuzz, Cricket Next and some other websites.

Overall, West Indies seems to be a bit ahead of India, given their home advantage. However, Indian team is also looking for a come back through this series and they are determined to perform and compensate for their poor performance in the twenty20 world cup 2009.