After the conclusion of the ODI series, which India won by 3-0, the visitors will take on the West Indies in five-match T20I series.
The first game will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Friday. The first two ODI matches were closely fought and the result could have gone either way.
However, the tourists were able to hold their nerves, in the end, to get over the line. Holding the nerves will be more important for both of these teams in the shortest format of the game, which can turn on its head in a matter of balls.
In fact, there is no doubt that West Indies will pose a more difficult challenge to the Indian team in the T20I version, as they have excelled in it since its inception. The hosts will want to come up with a collective show and they will want their power-hitters to deliver the goods.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma will take back the captaincy baton for the five T20Is. Furthermore, players like Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant will return back to the squad to add strength to team. Kuldeep Yadav has also been included after the wrist spinner recovered from his hand injury at the NCA and his participation will be subject to his fitness.
Furthermore, it will be interesting to note if Arshdeep Singh will get his chance. The left-arm pacer had impressed with his skills on his debut against England.
West Indies are yet to announce their T20I squad.
Match Prediction: With confidence and experience under their belt, India will start as favorites against West Indies.
India’s squad for 5 T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul*, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh. *The inclusion of KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav is subject to fitness.
