India play a couple of T20Is against World T20 champions West Indies at Lauderhill, USA. This is the first time the two teams will clash outside World T20, and there is a lot at stake for both teams. West Indies may have been outplayed in the Test series against India at home, but they are a formidable unit in the shortest format. They will look to bounce back in the T20I series, but India too cannot be underestimated. India and West Indies are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the ICC T20I rankings respectively, and one can expect a very closely fought contest. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs West Indies, 1st T20I at Lauderhill
Past results
West Indies have played a couple of matches at Lauderhill, both against New Zealand and they have managed to win both. But there was another T20I series held at this venue between New Zealand and Sri Lanka back in 2010, and the series finished 1-1. The scoring has been a bit inconsistent. We have seen teams dismissed for double digits and teams also scoring in excess of 200. West Indies in their five matches against India have won three and lost two. India’s recent loss against West Indies came at the semi-final stage of the World T20 at home. India will look to put that disappointment behind them and win this series.
New captain
“Carlos Brathwaite, remember the name” is one piece of commentary that will be remembered by all cricket lovers for years to come. Darren Sammy’s unceremonious sacking led to Brathwaite taking over as captain of the West Indies T20I team. Brathwaite hit Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes in the final over to help West Indies win the World T20. What many forget was that he was West Indies’ best bowler in the match as well, finishing with 3 for 23 in his four overs. Brathwaite’s T20I statistics are not definitely mind-blowing by any stretch of imagination, but his ability to bludgeon the bowling and bowl a few useful overs could turn the match in his team’s favour. READ: IND vs WI: BCCI awards Paytm title sponsorship for T20I series
What’s at stake?
If West Indies manage to win the series 2-0, they would have displaced India from the No. 2 spot and replace them at that spot. T20I is a relatively new format where every win, every loss changes the rankings. Both teams will be aware of that. While many in the Indian camp have claimed that the rankings do not matter to them, they will surely hate it if they slipped one place at the end of the series. West Indies, on the other hand, have a chance to prove that that they are still a strong side, even without Sammy. Registering a series win against a full-strength Indian side will be a perfect start for Brathwaite’s tenure as captain, signalling the beginning of a new era.
Serious cricket
USA will see international cricket perhaps for the last time in a long time. Yes, the ICC is trying to popularise cricket in the States, but for the players, it is just another day in the office. They will be hungry to win, whether they play in the US or Bermuda or wherever. India skipper MS Dhoni has always emphasised on the fact that every international game in vital as regardless of the situation, you represent your nation at the end of the day. With T20 specialists like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell to name a few, joining the team for the team, West Indies surely mean business. READ: IND vs WI, T20Is: Ashwin vs Simmons, Kohli vs Narine and other key clashes
Advantage West Indies?
All the players in the West Indies squad have played at Lauderhill when they took part in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2016. A part of the tournament was played at this venue and by now will be accustomed with the pitch and the conditions. India, on the other hand, are in a uncharted territory. Although they landed in the country a few days before the series to get used to the conditions, they will be thoroughly tested in the series. India coach Anil Kumble is said to be a shrewd reader of the wickets, and India will bank on his expertise on the subject.
What it means to cricket in the US?
USA has witnessed just a handful of international and other T20 matches. With India going there, we might see many NRIs turn up and cheer for their team. Fans’ support is very important to make any sport a success and cricket in no different. The success or failure of the sport in a region will be determined by the quality of cricket, without a doubt, but more importantly, its true success or failure will be determined by how many fans are willing to spend their money and watch the sport. It is expected to be a full house at Lauderhill. What we hope will not be missing is quality cricket!
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry.com. He is a sport enthusiast and a keen observer of cricket, the contests, and its personalities. When not tracking cricket, he follows the world’s soccer leagues and is somewhat partial towards Liverpool. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
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