India Vs West Indies T20i: India Can’t Count West Indies out in Shortest Format of the Game

India Vs West Indies T20I: India can't count West Indies out in shortest format of the game

After the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the Team India is all set to commence their new season with a tour to West Indies, comprising of three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. The Men-In-Blue will be playing the first two T20Is against the hosts in Florida and, thereafter, both the teams will move to the Caribbean Islands for the third T20I. Going by the ICC T20I rankings, fifth-ranked India should have it easy against the ninth-ranked West Indies. However, one should expect a power-packed series as the Caribbeans are known for their fearless style of cricket, especially in the shortest format of the game. One should count West Indies out at their own peril, keeping in mind that that they are the current World Champions, though the current rankings show a dismal picture of them.

Let us try and analyse India’s T20I squad for the tour of West Indies.

Indian team comprise of five main batsmen in Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Manish Pandey, while the selectors have picked three all-rounders in Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja.

In absence of former Indian captain and wicket-keeper MS Dhoni, captain Virat Kohli has two wicket-keeping options in KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. However, Pant will remain as the first choice keper and KL Rahul will play as a batsman.

Looking at the bowling options, chief selector MSK Prasad and his team have picked five bowlers -- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, and Rahul Chahar -- in the squad.

Notable names, including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been given a rest. Dhoni too has not been included as he had expressed his unavailability because of his prior commitment to his Regiment in the Indian Army.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that KL Rahul has opened the batting in the IPL and for India in absence of Dhawan in the World Cup, he may need to bat at number four, considering both Dhawan and Sharma will be back opening the innings together for T20Is, while Virat Kohli has owned the number three slot. In between Iyer and Pandey, Pandey's IPL record may get him the place ahead of Iyer.

However, the team management will have to be articulate in filling the allrounder's spot as they have a choice between Ravindra Jadeja and Krunal Pandya. Jadeja played the match of his life in the ICC World Cup semi-final against New Zealand and was outstanding with the ball and fielding in whatever

limited opportunities he got in the World Cup. However, Krunal has done well in the shorter formats off late and might be a challenge for the Jadeja.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed are the automatic choice for the two frontline bowlers' spots. However, Deepak Chahar will have serious competition in Navdeep Saini as on the Caribbean pitches, which are expected to be level, Saini with his extra pace might prove to be more effective on these batting friendly wickets when contrasted with Deepak Chahar. Rahul Chahar should also make his debut, being the lone wrist spinner in the squad.

All in all, India look a settled unit and despite missing out on some big names, have enough firepower to go past West Indies challenge in the shortest format of the game.

India’s T20I squad Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini More Info: All Sports