A team full of IPL stars was expected to do wonders on the Caribbean soil but to everyone’s surprise, Hardik Pandya & Co suffered a narrow defeat in the series opener. A boundary was the difference between the two teams in the opening game in Tarouba where West Indies prevailed on a slow batting track with an impressive bowling effort at the backend.
India will aim to bounce back and level the series when they square off against the Rovman Powell-led side in Guyana on Sunday. Skipper Hardik Pandya along with his deputy Suryakumar Yadav would expect to put on a far improved batting show; both individually as well as collectively.
What: India vs West Indies 2nd ODI
When: Sunday, August 06
Where: Providence Stadium, Guyana
Time: 8:00 PM IST
Team News – India
The duo along with Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson are all looking at the ODI World Cup but no one would mind a few good knocks which will give them some confidence ahead of the Asia Cup.
Save debutant Tilak Varma, who looked ready for international cricket during his knock of 39, the Indian batting with IPL prima donnas earning fat pay cheques, flattered to deceive.
This T20 series against the West Indies gives India the best chance to check out their shortest format options as it would become important next year with the World Cup being held in the Americas (West Indies and United States). Hence, trying out the last IPL edition’s sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal during the series if not the second game wouldn’t be a bad option.
Suryakumar would want to get a big one in his pet format and regain a bit of confidence that has eroded because of a lean patch in the ODIs. The same goes for Sanju Samson who has been a perennial underachiever at the international level despite the talent that he possesses. He will be travelling to Ireland after this series and hence would be looking to add runs under his belt.
Among bowlers, Yuzvendra Chahal has fallen off a bit in ODI pecking order and he will have a point to prove if he gets an opportunity in all five games. Arshdeep Singh is a work-in-progress as far as death overs bowling is concerned while Mukesh Kumar is reaping rewards for his good show throughout the tour.
But at some point, both Avesh Khan and Umran Malik, the two tearaway quicks need to be given an opportunity and see if they can become the X-factor on docile tracks.
Team News – West Indies
A better batting effort in the back-10 would be a top priority at a venue where the West Indies haven’t had a great T20I record. Out of 11 matches played at this ground, three didn’t produce results due to rain and in the remaining eight, West Indies lost five games.
But despite their declining standards in the two traditional formats, West Indies in T20 cricket remain a force to reckon with as they produce the maximum premium ‘Guns for Hire’ in the franchise market after Australia.
The Nicholas Poorans, Kyle Mayers, Shimron Hetmyers, Rovman Powells, and Romario Shepherds are on an even keel, at least in this format and hence the Indian team will find this particular outfit the toughest to beat in current circumstances.
Squads:
India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.
West Indies: Rovman Powell (c), Kyle Mayers (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas.
(With PTI Inputs)
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