*INDIA VS WESTINDIES 1st T20I IN A 5 MATCH T20I SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*A LONG TIRING T20I SERIES IN AN ODI WORLDCUP YEAR AWAITS INDIA:*
To those who schedule the matches of ICT always give us with a question to ponder about. In a World Cup year where the main emphasis is on the ODI format, why are India, the hosts of the tourney, playing a tiring 5 match T20I series? Regardless of the outcome of it, there is very little to gain for India and the less said about about WI will gain, the better after the 2 time CWC champions failed to qualify for the marquee event.
Now that these five matches have already been scheduled, the Windies decided to go in with an experienced squad with Holdar and Pooran returning after missing out on the ODI series, the comeback of Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas alongside the ODI skipper Shai Hope, into their setup. All of this only makes the case strong for WI who are otherwise reeling across formats and failing to cover any ground. We could see all 5 of them make the cut in the final XI with Powell, a destructive middle order hitter leading the side.
The Indians on the other hand have Hardik at the helm of things and this has been the case for so many T20I series for now. The likes of Rohit and Virat have been rested with Hardik leading a relatively younger squad with alot of potential. The usual suspects in Shubman, Suryakumar, Kishan, Patel, Chahal and Arshdeep have made the cut but what has surprised me however is the inclusion of Avesh Khan, the speedster had a below average IPL and failed to create an impact of sorts yet has been picked for this series. The rise of Mukesh Kumar, India’s new swing sensation will be exciting and the fact that he has been backed in the shortest format makes the case interesting. Lately, Mukesh took the world by storm and impressed in both the formats leaving only the T20Is for now where he is yet to show his true potential after a decent IPL last season.
India would be eager to wrestle back some momentum into their favour right from the word “go” and make sure they start right. Expect them to go in with 3 pacers and the medium pace of Hardik alongside two spinners to keep the WI batters at bay in the middle overs. This promises to be a cracker of a series.
*IND PROBABLE XI:*
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya(c), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar
The express pace of Umran could be a handful for the WI batters if he manages to pitch it in the right areas. The Caribbean batters usually prefer pace and with the bounce that Umran was able to generate in the ODIs, it did not make him a potent weapon instead allowed him to go for runs. India will be keen to see how he brings about a change in this attitude and mindset while bowling because a gun player like him, up India’s sleeves, will only be a boon in the long run.
Arshdeep Singh, the left arm swing bowler enjoyed a good stint at the County Championship for his side, producing beauties and also giving a hand lower down the order with the bat. He’d be eager to get some bounce on these tracks which are specially designed for this purpose because swing is one area where the pitches in the Caribbean offer no help. Him along with Mukesh are expected to open the bowling and we could be in for some treat to our eyes if the surface manages to excite us with enough movement.
Keeping Kishan out can be a debatable move but his struggles with the bat in the shortest format say otherwise. Sanju, with the sharpness as a keeper and his ability to construct a innings as well as go “bang bang” from ball 1 should keep him in the side, possibly batting at 4. We could see yet another T20I debutant in the form of Jaiswal who has build upon his rep as the new intent merchant from India. His stroke play is exquisite but most importantly, he doesn’t shy away from tonking the bowlers to all parts of the ground with his all round ability as a batter. If there’s one batter that I will be eager to see other than Shubman, then it is Yashasvi.
*WI PROBABLE XI:*
Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Jason Holdar, Akeal Hossain, Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy
WI have complete chance to drop Chase and pick just one specialist spinner. The all rounder post the T20 WC of 2021 has not lit up the stage making him a liability to deal with. Akeal Hossain on the other hand with his slow left arm spin has troubled right handers in the past and India with so many studded RHBs in the top 7 only makes things interesting.
Ocean Smith could be slotted in at 8 for the depth he offers with the bat but the pacer will be keen on restricting the scoring areas of the Indian batters, one aspect of his bowling where he has lacked big time. The extra pace of Joseph should be an energetic watch, we have seen him rattle the opposition with his hit-the-deck-hard type bowling and if he starts well, the fate would be in his hands for the rest of the series as well.
India would be vary of Charles who recently smashed the fastest T20I ton for a Windies batter and assaulted the batters to all parts of the ground. He is muscular and knows no limits which makes him a threat to the likes of Arshdeep and Mukesh who rely alot on swing. If they hit their lines incorrect initially, they could be in for a long stay in the outfield because Charles doesn’t miss out. Shai Hope, in his return to the setup, should bat at 3 anchoring the innings and playing sensibly as the other around him go bonkers.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR INDIA:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Yashasvi Jaiswal
Highest wicket taker- Arshdeep Singh/Kuldeep Yadav
*FOR WI:*
Highest run getter- Johnson Charles/Shai Hope
Highest wicket taker- Alzarri Joseph/Obed McCoy
*FOR THIS GAME:*
India to win and start right.