Published: Aug 03, 2019, 11:09 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 03, 2019, 11:11 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 1st T20I between India and West Indies at Lauderhill, Florida to be played today.
Seven days short of a month from their heart-breaking semi-final loss to New Zealand in the World Cup, India return to international cricket against the West Indies in T20 action. Between then and now, plenty has transpired. Rumours of rift in the team, uncertainty regarding MS Dhoni’s future or, questions surrounding India’s support staff and pot-shots fired between former cricketers/legends and selectors. Who doesn’t like a bit of drama every now and then?
All said and done, there’s nothing like resumption post the World Cup hangover. India’s selection for the West Indies series is a clear indication that their priority is the T20 World Cup in Australia a little over a year from now. The likes of Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey have returned, while Rishabh Pant is set to take over wicketkeeping duties. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been rested, and in their places, the emergence of young Deepak Chahar and the younger Pandya – Krunal – have received opportunities to kickstart a campaign set to culminate in Melbourne next November.
At the World Cup, there wasn’t a single game where questions surrounding India’s middle order was not raised. West Indies might be a start to getting it right. With Shikhar Dhawan back in the side post his recovery, he is likely to be back opening the innings, so where does it leave KL Rahul? Does he go back to bat at No. 4, or will India groom one of Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey for that slot? What will be the allrounder combination be like? Who among Ravindra Jadeja and Krunal Pandya make it to the XI? Or both will? Numerous questions will be answered as India begin mission Australia.
West Indies have plenty to look forward to as well. There is no Chris Gayle, who has opted to play the ODIs instead after making a U-turn on his retirement. By the time West Indies’ World Cup campaign ended, their promising start went out with a whimper but not without sparks of individual brilliance. Nicholas Pooran has been talked about as the next big thing in West Indies cricket and so is Shimron Hetmyer. Besides, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard return to T20 fold while Andre Russell continues to be plagued by injuries ruling him out of the series.
Also, for the first time since 2016, India and West Indies will play in the USA. West Indies edged India by a run before the second T20I was washed out. What will their second assignment in Florida bring? West Indies have always been a top T20 side and under a dynamic Carlos Brathwaite, whose heroic century against New Zealand is still fresh in the minds, they won’t be pushovers for India.
