Picking a Combined India vs. West Indies ODI Side

India play host to the West Indies in a five-match ODI series starting in Kochi on Wednesday. The home side will start as favourites, especially as the West Indies will be without Chris Gayle, who is nursing a hamstring injury.

The Indian selectors have also sprung a surprise, picking rookie Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav to replace the rested Ravichandran Ashwin.

Despite the high-profile absentees, there's plenty to look forward to from two quality sides.

Read on to see who makes the final XI in a combined India and West Indies team. Prolific runs and plentiful wickets were the main basis for selection. Big match temperament, future potential and style points also counted.

Statistics courtesy of ESPNCricinfo.com and Howstat.com.

1. Shikhar Dhawan

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ODIs 43
Runs 1,659; average 42.53; strike rate 89.67

Free-scoring Shikhar Dhawan is the first name on our combined XI team-sheet. The 28-year-old is without a century in 12 ODI innings in 2014 but still averages a solid 38.91 this year.

The left-hander has provided a solid base for India, failing to reach double figures just once since January.

Dhawan will welcome a return to India where he averages 49.22, almost nine runs better than his ODI record in matches overseas.

2. Ajinkya Rahane

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ODIs 34
Runs 946; average 27.82; strike rate 75.86

While Shikhar Dhawan is a no-brainer to open, his partner is a bit trickier to find. None of the batsmen tried by the West Indies to open with Chris Gayle have cemented a place.

The Indians have struggled to find a consistent opening partnership, too. Ajinkya Rahane's overall record is pretty ordinary but some good performances on the tour of England get him the nod in our combined XI.

3. Virat Kohli

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ODIs 138
Runs 5,688; average 51.24, strike rate 89.63
Wickets 4; average 135.50; economy rate 6.04

Virat Kohli is the top-ranked Indian batsmen in the ICC rankings, sitting in third behind only AB De Villiers and Hashim Amla.

Two fifties, two hundreds and 548 runs at an average of 48.55 is a solid 2014 return for the 25-year-old, despite a somewhat disappointing tour of England.

As the heir apparent to Sachin Tendulkar, there's huge pressure on India's most stylish batsman. He seems to have the temperament to deliver.

4. Suresh Raina

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ODIs 196
Runs 4,823; average 35.72; strike rate 92.21
Wickets 30; average 47.73; economy rate 5.03

Suresh Raina will be full of confidence entering the ODI series following his heroics in the Champions League Twenty20. An unbeaten 109 from just 62 balls helped Chennai thrash Kolkata in the final.

Raina's form hasn't been quite so spectacular in the 50-over game but he's a consistent middle-order performer. The 27-year-old is currently ranked 19th in the ICC ODI Rankings.

His off-spin could come in handy on home pitches, too.

5. Kieron Pollard

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ODIs 88
Runs 1,994; average 25.56; strike rate 95.17
Wickets 44; average 37.61; economy rate 5.55

It's all about the power with Kieron Pollard. The burly Trinidadian's batting may not win any beauty contests but who cares when you hit the ball as far as he does.

As an Indian Premier League regular, playing on the subcontinent won't hold any fears. Given the right circumstances, he can be a truly devastating striker.

While his bowling won't cause anyone any sleepless nights, it's good enough to sneak the odd wicket or two.

6. MS Dhoni

ODIs 247
Runs 8,127; average 53.11; strike rate 89.21
Wickets 1; average 31; economy rate 5.16

At 33, MS Dhoni shows no signs of slowing down, at least as far as the 50-over game is concerned. He is averaging 58.83 in ODIs in 2014 and has passed 50 in four of his seven innings this year.

Arguably the best ODI batsman in the world when the game's on the line, Dhoni is the man Indian fans want walking to the middle when the pressure's on.

He'll go down as an Indian great.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

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ODIs 105
Runs 1,649; average 35.08; strike rate 84.78
Wickets 127; average 32.14; economy rate 4.71

Some spinners may give the ball a bigger tweak, other batsmen may score more runs. Few provide the total package offered by Ravindra Jadeja.

The 25-year-old's all-round talents have taken him to third place in the ICC Rankings for all-rounders.

Jadeja is an extremely canny performer in limited-over games with both bat and ball and will be a crucial element of India's World Cup defence.

8. Dwayne Bravo

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ODIs 161
Runs 2,941; average 25.79; strike rate 82.49
Wickets 196, average 29.30; economy rate 5.39

Bravo is one of the few genuine all-rounders in the modern game and is capable of winning a match with bat or ball. Like fellow Trinidadian Kieron Pollard, Bravo has plenty of experience playing in India and the conditions there will hold no fear.

The 30-year-old should be full of confidence following his recent exploits for Chennai Super Kings during their recent Champions League T20 triumph.

9. Ravi Rampaul

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ODIs 88
Runs 343; average 12.25; strike rate 75.55
Wickets 112; average 29.16; economy rate 5.06

Ravi Rampaul has a fine record in ODIs against India. The Trinidadian paceman has 25 wickets at an average of just 22.84 in 13 matches against the Indians, including a quartet of four-wicket hauls.

The 29-year-old may not be the most accurate seamer around but when on-song he's a genuine wicket-taking threat.

10. Kuldeep Yadav

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ODIs—yet to make debut

It may seem strange to pick a player yet to make his ODI debut in our combined XI but we have high hopes this series for Kuldeep Yadav.

The 19-year-old showed he had the temperament for the big occasion with a string of fine performances in the Champions League T20.

He gives his left-arm leg-spin a real rip and will be tricky to pick this series.

11. Kemar Roach

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ODIs 64
Runs 216; average 13.50; strike rate 52.17
Wickets 98; average 26.85; economy rate 4.90

The fastest bowler in our combined XI is Kemar Roach. The Barbadian is capable of cranking up the pace when in rhythm and takes a wicket every 32 balls in ODIs.

His economy rate isn't too shabby, either, making him a decent all-round bowler in the 50-over game.