After the ODI series, West Indies and India will shift focus to the five-match T20I series, with the first match to be played at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Thursday. As per the latest reports, the next T20 World Cup will begin on 4th June 2024 in the West Indies.
Ergo, the next T20I showpiece is almost 10 months away and it will be a perfect opportunity for India to play in the conditions that will be on offer in the World Cup.
The young players will look to grab their chances from both teams and it will be an interesting battle between the Windies’ brutal force versus India’s talented group. The Windies had stunned India in the second ODI but they will have more chances of upsetting the visitors in the shortest format of the game.
Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal had received maiden call-ups to the T20I squad and they will be looking to take their chances after impressing on the domestic circuit. Furthermore, Arshdeep Singh will make a return to the team whereas Mukesh Kumar will also look to continue the good show after impressing on his Test and ODI debuts.
Jaiswal was able to hit the ground running in Test cricket and the left-hander will aim to provide a good start to the team.
On the other hand, West Indies will be led by Rovman Powell and the home team will look to come up with a collective effort, which they could not do in the ODI series.
Match Prediction: India will start as favorites against the West Indies.
West Indies squad for T20I series against India: Rovman Powell (capt), Kyle Mayers (vice-capt), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas.
India’s T20I squad: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.