With the magnificent efforts by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, Team India pulled-off their highest successful run-chase in Hyderabad. Now their eyes are set on securing the three-match T20 series by winning the second T20I to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (December 8).
In the series opener, Indian bowlers were quite expensive, and fielding was overly sloppy. Deepak Chahar was the most expensive bowler for India as he ended his four-over spell at an economy of 14. Washington Sundar was also not economical, as he conceded 34 runs in three overs.
In the field, Sundar, Rohit Sharma, and Rahul were among those who dropped easy catches, which cost the team, and West Indies batsmen went on to score 207 runs. India would be looking forward to improving the errors they made in the next game.
Yuvraj Singh, one of the most excellent fielders and former India international, didn’t look happy with the attempts Indian fielders made on the field.
India very poor on the field today ! Young guns reacting a bit late on the ball! Too much cricket ? ? Let’s get these runs come on lads
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 6, 2019
The West Indies, on the other hand, wouldn’t have much trouble going into the second T20I as their skipper Kieron Pollard bestowed praise on his batsmen but asked his bowlers for more discipline at the post-match press conference.
“I think we batted pretty well. We scored above 200 runs, which more often than not, you take that. But discipline in bowling and execution let us down tonight,” said Pollard.
“We gave 23 extras, 14 or 15 of those wide deliveries, so when you look at that, those were extra balls and extra overs. When you give a class team like India, these many extra deliveries, you are destined for trouble,” added Pollard.
“No balls are something we stress on in terms of non-negotiable, and we bowled a couple of them tonight. It’s something we need to look on,” said Caribbean captain.
When it comes to the teams, then India wouldn’t alter the winning combination, which means Manish Pandey, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Shami might have to continue the wait to don the blue jersey.
While West Indies might commit few changes, Nicholas Pooran will most likely make a return in the playing XI. Many would expect Windies to show exit doors to Kesrick Williams and Khary Pierre. Still, the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvanathapuram provides slow turning tracks, so one may not see any other change than Pooran.
Match timings: 7 pm IST; 1:30 pm GMT
Venue: The Greenfields Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Probable XI (India): Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Probable XI (West Indies): Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard (c), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell.
