KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav in focus after India win in 1,000th ODI

India ticked off a few boxes during their landmark 1,000th ODI, defeating the West Indies by six wickets in the first game of the three-match series in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma started his tenure as full-time ODI captain with a match-winning fifty, while spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar picked up seven wickets between them.

Sharma's decision to bowl was vindicated by the two spinners as the hosts bowled out the West Indies for 176.

The skipper's top-scoring 60 then helped India ease home in just 28 overs.

"I don't believe in a perfect game. We want to keep getting better as a team and, all in all, it was a great effort from everyone," Rohit, who took over as white-ball captain from Virat Kohli, said after the win.

"Honestly, I don't think we need to change a whole lot. All I will ask of the players is to challenge yourself and be innovative."

India's Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates the dismissal of West Indies' captain Kieron Pollard during the first ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 6, 2022. AFP

Leg-spinner Chahal returned figures of 4-49, including the key wicket of skipper Kieron Pollard first ball, to rattle the West Indies batters.

Off-spinner Sundar (3-30) also provided excellent control, improving his chances of becoming a regular fixture in white-ball cricket as he is more than handy with the bat as well.

The West Indies had slipped to 79-7 before Jason Holder hit 57 to salvage some dignity for the visitors.

The second ODI is at the same venue on Wednesday and the Indians have a few personnel issues to sort out.

First, batsman KL Rahul joined the squad after the missing the first match due to personal commitments. Whether he opens the innings or plays in the