As the Men in Blue gear up for their home One-Day International series against the re-emerging West Indies outfit, the hosts would have entered as overwhelming favourites. Dismissing the visitors, however, would prove a costly error for the Indian team management.

Packed with experienced campaigners as well as emerging explosive match-winners, a rejuvenated 15-man West Indies squad also includes genuine disruptors ready to capitalize on any complacency. With the resources at their disposal, the Caribbean side has the capability to spring a surprise on the hosts.

India will have to implement sharp counter-strategies against the three key West Indian men in danger

1.

Shai Hope

In a period when all the talk is of high-risk, high-reward power-hitting, West Indies captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope provides the value of traditional solidity.

Hope is absolutely indispensable to the Caribbean innings.

Whether it is the first hour or the last, he sets the tempo with a touch of vintage elegance. The subcontinental conditions are a perfect fit for his stroke-making versatility, as he dismantles the Indian spinners with delicate footwork and placement.

The stats make no bones about it either – in 25 ODI innings against India, Hope has scored nearly a millennium of runs at an astonishing average of 47, including 3 centuries and 5 half-centuries. The man can convert any scoring opportunity into a well-earned hundred, and the Indian bowlers know that sending him back to the crease early is a terrible idea.

2. Alzarri Joseph

At the vanguard of the West Indian attack stands speedster Alzarri Joseph, a fearful pace bowler who makes life impossible for the opening batters.

Joseph is far more than just a swinging quick – his ability to generate bounce off a good length makes him a serious threat to the Indian top order.

Joseph can touch speeds beyond 145 km/h hour, and he is dangerous throughout his spell in an ODI innings, whether it is the firing end or the death. He can also use the reverse swing to good effect in the latter stages.

A quick glance at his resume makes it obvious that he is more than capable of dismantling even the best batting orders.

Joseph has already picked up 23 wickets in 14 ODIs against India, so it would not be surprising if he announces his arrival in style in this ODI series.

3. Gudakesh Moti

Left-arm orthodox spinner Gudakesh Motie is a genuine wicket-taking threat for the batsmen in the crucial middle overs.

Motie is not your traditional tweaker – he doesn't bowl with height, but with the stumps as his main target. He beats the batters' defense with a mixture of drift and dip, inducing edges with his unorthodox action.

By restricting the strike and keeping the run-rate in check, he makes life extremely difficult for the Indian hitters.

Motie has an excellent record against India, having picked up 8 wickets in 4 ODIs with a miserable economy rate of below 5.0. He is also a genuine threat to big hitters in T20Is, holding the strike for long periods and defending stubbornly. With India's penchant for aggressive shot-making across the board, Motie is a certain roadblock in their ODI plans.

The Road Ahead

Although the odds are stacked against them, the West Indies will fancy their chances at chasing a win on the subcontinent. But to beat the hosts, they will have to overcome the vaunted trio of Hope, Joseph, and Motie, who are sure to keep India's batters in check.