Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
West Indies v India 1st T20I Preview Dream11. WI vs IND 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Prediction 3rd August 2019
Two teams, who both finished their respective World Cup campaigns with less than what they originally wanted, begin life after the ODI showpiece. A dose of T20Is kicks off India’s tour of West Indies, with both sides looking for redemption of sorts.
West Indies won’t only look to the right the wrong of a very disappointing World Cup campaign – there is also the small matter of a 3-0 defeat in a T20I series India last November. The power they possess and fearless cricket they play is certainly suited to this format, and can look to pick up momentum ahead of the World T20 in just over a year’s time.
So much attention in India has been on a ‘rift’ between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma that the Indian skipper has vehemently denied. Focus needs to shift now to a series that can help India climb the rankings, building their own form with the World T20 next year. A mix of youth and experience underpins India’s squad, who will be hoping for better luck than their last visit to Lauderhill.
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Key to a West Indies win
West Indies welcome back some big names to their T20I squad. Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard, who possess so much T20 experience, return to try boost the form of the Windies. Apart from hoping that they will consistently be around until the World T20, the Windies require solid all-round efforts from these two, along with hard-hitting potential such as Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer in getting the Windies to a big total.
Also, much was made about West Indies’ bowling in the recent World Cup. They were often one dimensional, lacking the variety required to get the better of batting lineups. The return of Sunil Narine can provide control and wicket-taking threat, along with the likes of Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas who can create opportunities up front. Indeed, the key for Windies would be to get better of India’s three big guns, picking up wickets regularly to limit India’s impact at the death.
Key to an India win
Some of India’s finest IPL performers will take the field in Lauderhill in an attempt to deliver victory for their national side. The likes of Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar, Navdeep Saini and Deepak Chahar offered plenty of value with the ball in IPL 2019, and given they all could get a chance throughout the series, the key will be to make a big impression by limiting the Windies’ hard-hitting approach. With frontline bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav rested, this is a chance to make a mark.
Also, plenty rests on Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as often the case. However, India need in-form players in their middle order to take their limited-overs game to the next level. KL Rahul is a player that can fire with the chance to play with freedom, and he will be tasked with getting India into a position where they can launch. He and Rishabh Pant will be out to make a big impression and outplay the Windies’ middle order.
Pitch and Conditions
This T20I will begin at 10:30am local time in Lauderhill. Some showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the early afternoon which could impact this game. The pitch in Florida is usually good for batting, with Bangladesh making two 170+ scores against West Indies in 2018.
Possible Playing 11
John Campbell will likely open with Evin Lewis. Also, Kharry Pierre could play if the Windies feel extra spin is needed with Sunil Narine also providing a spin option. Andre Russell has been ruled out of the first two T20Is at least.
West Indies: 1. Evin Lewis, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Rovman Powell, 7. Sunil Narine, 8. Carlos Brathwaite (c), 9. Keemo Paul, 10. Sheldon Cottrell, 11. Oshane Thomas
The likes of Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey are a chance of selection after strong IPL 2019 campaigns. However, they are both top order players, so placing either in the middle could be a risk. So, both Krunal Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja could play in the middle-late order with India to then play four frontline seam bowlers.
India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. KL Rahul, 5. Rishabh Pant (wk), 6. Krunal Pandya/Shreyas Iyer, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Navdeep Saini, 11. Khaleel Ahmed
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option: Replace Rahul with Pandey
Stats and Facts
- India beat West Indies 3-0 in a T20I series in November 2018.
- West Indies won the last T20I meeting vs India in Lauderhill – a thrilling one-run win in 2016.
- Virat Kohli averages 50+ in all three formats.
- Sunil Narine was last included in a Windies squad in 2017.
- West Indies are ranked ninth in T20Is. India are fifth.
Match Prediction
An exciting game is in prospect between two sides who could well have a say in next year’s World T20.
A high-scoring game is possible if the weather permits. Both sides possess good power but I think India’s experience just gives them an edge.
Thanks for reading!
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