WI v IND, One off T20I Preview: Windies aim for vengeance in the only T20

The focus will be on Chris Gayle who is making a comeback for the national side

By Anuraag Peesara

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Virat Kohli
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India’s Captain Virat Kohli celebrates their victory with teammate Dinesh Karthik. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

The ODI series was a major disappointment for the Windies but there’s something about the T20s which ignites the Caribbean passion and augments their playing standards. A country, always known for its shorter version specialist players, often enters a T20 match against any side in the world as the favorites.

The last few occasions when these two sides collided in T20s have been absolute crackers as far as the entertainment factor is concerned, with unpredictability reaching an altogether different level. The number of match winners in the Windies’ side is one factor which always keeps them alive in the game. With Chris Gayle returning to the setup, their side looks decent enough to beat any team in the world.

The Indians on the other side are a force to reckon with in any format. There ain’t any particular T20 specialists in the Indian side and a lot of them play all three formats regularly. Yet, they enter pretty much every game they play as the favorites to win and there’s nothing different this time around as well.

Toss: Windies won the toss and elected to bowl first

Carlos Brathwaite: “We will bowl first. Team India likes to chase as well. We will try to bowl well. We also don’t have the baggage and it’s about taking positives. We come in fresh. For me as a young guys, to have those guys (Gayle and Co.) is a blessing. It’s a massive privilege and we will try to put our best foot forward. For me personally, it’s an opportunity to learn from them.”

Virat Kohli: “I also want to better my toss record. I call heads five times and lost; today I call tails and still lost. Windies are the World Champs for a reason. When we end up thinking too much, we end up compromising too much in a T20 game. It’s difficult to switch (players) for just one game. The guys have played in IPL, so have a lot of exposure. It’s important to have the same bunch of guys and have them perform. The guys have the skillset to do it.”

Playing XI:

Windies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Chadwick Walton(w), Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite(c), Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Jerome Taylor, Kesrick Williams

India: Dhawan, Kohli (c), Pant, Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Jadhav, Jadeja, Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar, Kuldeep & Shami.

Focus will be on

Virat Kohli (India)

The Indian skipper comes into this match after a record-breaking hundred in the 5th ODI. He now looks very confident and the world number one T20 batsman is apparently considering to open the innings. He’s been spectacular opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and it might be a good move considering his form. Kohli is always the mainstay in the Indian batting line-up and the Windies game is just another one of those occasions.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

One of the game’s all-time greats and the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket history, Christopher Henry Gayle’s presence is always energizing and helpful. Gayle will probably open the batting with Evin Lewis and it will be interesting to see how the big man reciprocates to the in-form Indian bowling contingent.

Playing Combinations

India

It is being speculated that Virat Kohli might open alongside Shikhar Dhawan, which means Rahane will have to pave way for either Yuvraj or Rishabh Pant to come in. If Dinesh Karthik doesn’t make it to the XI, Yuvraj and Pant both might sneak into the team. It will be interesting to see who bats at number three if Virat opens.

Pant might get that golden opportunity tomorrow as he’s proven his mettle batting at number 3 for Delhi Daredevils. With Yuvraj, Dhoni, Jadhav and Pandya available, the probability of India not getting a good finish is very less. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami will certainly make it to the XI, with Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja fighting for 2 remaining spots.

West Indies

Evin Lewis scored a magnificent hundred against India last year in the T20 series in the USA. He will open the innings with the T20 legend Chris Gayle. Marlon Samuels’s experience will be very handy as Kesrick Williams and Rovman Powell are still adjusting to the International stage. The big man Kieron Pollard and wicket-keeper Nicholas Pooran are big hitters of the cricket ball and will be vital in the death overs.

Sunil Narine is another big name making a comeback to the side. His addition is a massive boost to the side. Jerome Taylor and Ronsford Beaton might share the new ball together with Narine being another alternative. Samuel Badree will be the man to watch out for Indians as his four overs will be very crucial in Windies’ success in the game.

Stats Attack

2 – Sunil Narine needs two more scalps to complete 50 T20 International wickets.

3 – This is the third International T20 match being hosted by Sabina Park. Previously, West Indies played Ireland back in 2014

36.63 – MS Dhoni has the second best average(36.63) in the Indian team in T20 cricket and 9th highest in T20I history.

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