Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: AFP |
The plethora of white ball continues, with West Indies’ last stop on their tour of India their most favoured format.
The Windies, after promising so much but fading in the ODIs, return to the ground where they enjoyed one of their greatest triumphs in recent years. There are quite a few personnel changes from the team that took to the field in the World T20 2016 Final, as well as a tough run of results in 2018, which presents a challenge in itself for the visitors.
Against an India side at home that is still strong without Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, can the Windies be of competitive value?
India enjoyed success the last time they were without both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, lifting the Nidahas Trophy in March thanks to the famous last-ball six from Dinesh Karthik. Whilst excellent experience remains in the side, there is an opportunity for a number of Indian players to make a mark. Krunal Pandya is set to (deservedly) make his international debut, and the likes of Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will be keen to impress. Will India continue their dominance from the last two ODIs?
Like India, West Indies will field a side looking to prove themselves. What the Windies side lacks in T20I experience, they make up in talent, with the likes of Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer coming off superb CPL 2018 campaigns. Despite boasting a 5-2 record against India in T20Is, the Windies start as outsiders, but in a format they enjoy the most, ruling them out completely is never safe.
Key to an India win
Key to a West Indies win
Possible XIs
India possible XI: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. KL Rahul, 4. Manish Pandey, 5. Rishabh Pant (wk), 6. Dinesh Karthik, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Khaleel Ahmed
As mentioned, Andre Russell is out for the Windies, which is a blow. Sherfane Rutherford is set to make his debut, boasting a strike rate of 140+ in eight T20s.
West Indies possible XI: 1. Rovman Powell, 2. Darren Bravo, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Sherfane Rutherford, 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Carlos Brathwaite (c), 7. Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8. Fabian Allen, 9. Khary Pierre, 10. Oshane Thomas, 11. Obed McCoy
Dream11
- I stuck with Shikhar Dhawan all ODI series, but struggled for runs. Of course, he is a class player and the T20 format can bring the best out of him. For me, though, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will bring the goods.
- Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer are two key players for the Windies.
- Krunal Pandya offers good value on debut.
- Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav make my side, and so too Oshane Thomas, who all have wicket taking potential.
Stats and Facts
- For the first time in T20Is, India will play a home game without MS Dhoni.
- Rishabh Pant in T20s in 2018: 1,125 runs at SR of 177.16.
- Rohit Sharma averages 76.06 in 20 innings across formats at Eden Gardens.
- Kieron Pollard has never played a T20I in India. He has played 147 T20s (IPL and World T20 League).
