Match Preview – West Indies vs India, India in West Indies 2023, 1st T20I

Huge image: IPL heroes vs CPL stars

Although West Indies did not qualify for the principle occasion of the final T20 World Cup – and the upcoming ODI World Cup – their T20I facet appears to be in higher well being than their ODI and Check groups. Both facet of the T20 World Cup’s first spherical in 2022, West Indies challenged New Zealand in a 2-1 collection defeat at house, and beat South Africa 2-1 away. They are going to be bolstered additional by the return of Nicholas Pooran, who propelled MI New York to the MLC title final Sunday with a sensational 137 not out off 55 balls. Allrounders Jason Holder, Odean Smith and Akeal Hosein are additionally again within the combine.India might be with out Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj for the T20I leg of the West Indies and USA excursions, however their line-up nonetheless drips with energy and sophistication, due to their IPL heroes. After having lit up his Check debut with 171 in Dominica, Yashasvi Jaiswal may probably make his T20I debut on Thursday in Tarouba, and open alongside Shubman Gill. There may be a debut for Tilak Varma, who has been the engine room of Mumbai Indians’ center order since Hardik Pandya moved to Gujarat Titans within the IPL. Varma will now mix with Pandya to marshal India’s center order.This could possibly be one other alternative for Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan to show their white-ball chops and agency up their instances to be India’s back-up wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul, who’s on the street to restoration from harm.

For West Indies, this collection marks the start of a protracted T20 house season, with the CPL set to start on August 16, three days after the tip of the T20I collection in opposition to India in Lauderhill, USA. Sturdy performances on this collection – and the next CPL – may assist West Indies form their facet for his or her house T20 World Cup subsequent yr.

Mukesh Kumar may find yourself making his Check, ODI and T20I debuts on this tour•AFP/Getty Photos

Kind information

West Indies WLWLW (final 5 accomplished T20Is, most up-to-date first)
India WWLWL

Within the highlight: Powell and Mukesh

Rovman Powell is amongst West Indies’ leaders in white-ball cricket, however he was dropped for the final two ODIs in opposition to India, with Keacy Carty changing him. He had additionally been dropped from the ODI facet through the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. However Powell is now set to return, this time because the captain of the T20I group, and with some extent to show – significantly in opposition to the spinners. Powell has a strike fee of solely 115.03 whereas dealing with spin in T20 cricket, whereas that quantity jumps as much as 153.20 in opposition to tempo.

Mukesh Kumar needed to slog for years to make it to India’s squad, but when he will get picked on Thursday, he’ll find yourself making his Check, ODI and T20I debuts in a fortnight within the West Indies. Mukesh normally operates within the decrease 130kph vary, however he can get the ball to skid and seam off the pitch like he did within the ODI collection decider in Tarouba on Tuesday. With plenty of senior quicks absent as soon as once more, Mukesh is more likely to get run within the five-match T20I collection.

Staff information: Will India choose an additional spinner?

This might be West Indies’ first T20I underneath coach Daren Sammy, however there may not be too many adjustments from the group that toppled South Africa in South Africa. ODI captain Shai Hope would possibly compete with Johnson Charles for the No.3 spot. West Indies will look as much as the returning Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer to counter India’s spinners. Hosein could possibly be West Indies’ foremost spinner after having returned from the MLC.

West Indies (possible): 1 Brandon King, 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Johnson Charles/Shai Hope (wk), 4 Nicholas Pooran, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Rovman Powell (capt), 7 Roston Chase, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Romario Shepherd/Odean Smith, 10 Akeal Hosein, 11 Alzarri Joseph/Oshane Thomas

If the pitch that was used for the ultimate ODI is rolled out as soon as once more, India would possibly take into account bringing in an additional spinner. And it stays to be seen whether or not the guests can match each Kishan and Samson of their XI.

India (possible): 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Ishan Kishan/Sanju Samson (wk), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya (capt), 6 Suryakumar Yadav, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal/Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mukesh Kumar/Umran Malik/Avesh Khan

Pitch and circumstances: Rain may interrupt the sport

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy has hosted only one T20I thus far, in 2022, when India piled up 190 for six, after which defended it with appreciable ease in opposition to West Indies. The Tarouba pitch is normally pleasant to batters, however a used one may provide extra help to the bowlers. The forecast for Thursday is not significantly promising, with a 40% likelihood of rain.

Stats and trivia

Deivarayan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo