GUWAHATI: The batting firepower is undeniably India's biggest strength but an unsettled pace-bowling combination would be a concern when the hosts look to seal the three-match ODI series against the West Indies in the second game, here on Wednesday.
For the fans, the spotlight will once again be on Virat Kohli, who rolled back the years with a record-breaking century in the series-opener in Thiruvananthapuram, while skipper Shubman Gill also struck a hundred as India chased down 296 in under 42 overs.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also bowled an incisive spell to underline his importance in the attack, but the pace department looked less convincing in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, while Mohammed Siraj was left out to try Nitish Kumar Reddy with the new ball in a dress rehearsal for the ODI World Cup next year.
India's decision to open the bowling with all-rounder Reddy, rather than the more experienced Siraj, raised plenty of eyebrows in Thiruvananthapuram and the experiment did not go according to plan.
Returning from a left quadriceps injury, Reddy struggled for rhythm and accuracy. He overstepped, overpitched, bowled too many deliveries in the hitting arc and strayed down the leg side, conceding 18 runs from an over that stretched to seven deliveries.
As a result, Justin Greaves, the 32-year-old West Indies opener, settled quickly and went on to score a maiden ODI hundred, a 108-ball 101, helping the visitors post a competitive 295/7.
It was hardly a surprise to see Gill remove Reddy from the attack with the new ball.
With Hardik Pandya yet to get fitness clearance and Bumrah away on Asian Games duty, the series was seen as an opportunity to assess India's options ahead of the next ODI World Cup.
Reddy, who identified as a potential long-term all-round option who could also be a sixth bowling option with full backing of bowling coach Morne Morkel, has continued to disappoint.
"It will be great for Indian cricket if we can keep on developing him and for him to compete for that all-rounder spot. He's got all the talent and all the ability to do that," Morkel had said.
The question now is whether India continue to "develop" Reddy with the ball or restore the more reliable Siraj for the second ODI.
But looking at the weak opposition in the Windies, it would not be a bad plot to give Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi a much-anticipated India debut.
Having featured in the India squad for the Sri Lanka Tests, Nabi is still waiting for his debut.
With the team looking at all-rounders, batting all-rounder Naman Dhir was handed a debut as part of the larger experiment.
Dhir bowled five overs for 33 runs but did not get an opportunity to demonstrate his batting ability following his explosive form in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League.
India's bowling combination remains a delicate one.
If Siraj returns, one of the all-round options could have to make way. If Nabi is handed a debut, India would again have to find a balance between playing an extra specialist bowler.
For all the questions surrounding the attack, India's top order provided plenty of reassurance in the first ODI.
Kohli looked in complete command, producing another reminder of why he has earned his reputation as one of the game's greatest chasers.
His 74-ball hundred came with several milestones, including becoming only the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to cross 15,000 international runs.
There will also be a sense of deja vu for Kohli in Guwahati.
He returns to the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, where he scored his 45th ODI century against Sri Lanka in January 2023.
That hundred had arrived during India's preparations for the 2023 World Cup; this one has come with the 2027 World Cup cycle already gathering momentum.
Kohli's form has also added to the excitement around the series, particularly alongside former captain Rohit Sharma.
For the West Indies, Wednesday's game is effectively a must-win if they are to keep the three-match series alive.
Shai Hope's side will also be looking to improve its fielding after missed opportunities hurt them in the opener, including a dropped chance offered by Gill early in his innings.
Coach Darren Sammy will hope his side can end a long wait against India, with the West Indies' last ODI series win over their hosts coming in 2002.
But the larger challenge extends beyond this series as the two-time world champions are yet to secure their place in the next World Cup and will compete in the qualifiers in February next year.
So this tour becomes an important opportunity to build confidence and combinations ahead of that campaign.
India:
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vc), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
West Indies:
Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.
Match starts at 2 pm.