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The T20I series between India and West Indies is set to kick off on August 4 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad followed by two matches at Providence Stadium in Guyana on August 6 and 8. The series will then conclude with the final two games at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, USA on August 12 and 13.
With regular captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested from the shortest format of the game, Hardik Pandya has taken up the responsibility of leading the Indian T20I team in recent months. Despite his lack of captaincy experience, Pandya has shown promise and will be eager to continue the good work with the young players in the squad.
Given the absence of some senior players, India will have the opportunity to experiment with different combinations, especially in the middle order and about the bowling lineup. The team management will be keen to find the right balance between experienced players and promising youngsters.
Here is India’s best playing XI for the five-match T20I series against West Indies:
Shubman Gill has certainly made a strong impact in the T20I format since his debut in January 2023. The 23-year-old cricketer’s exceptional innings of 126 not out against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad made him the highest scorer for India in T20Is, surpassing Kohli’s record of 122 not out against Afghanistan.
Alongside Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s outstanding performances in the IPL 2023 for Rajasthan Royals(RR) have caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts. Jaiswal’s impressive tally of 625 runs at an average of 48.08 and a remarkable strike rate of 163.63 has established him as one of the standout performers of the tournament. His jaw-dropping century against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, where he scored 124 runs, was a breathtaking display of his batting prowess. Given their recent performances, both Gill and Jaiswal seem to be the top contenders for the opening partnership in India’s white-ball sides.
Ishan Kishan has been a regular member of Team India in T20Is, primarily due to his swashbuckling batting at the top of the order. While his overall T20I record might not be exceptional, he has shown glimpses of his potential and ability to play impactful innings.
With 653 runs in 17 innings at an average of 25.11 and a strike rate of 122.74, the Jharkhand-born cricketer’s numbers may not reflect his true potential. However, he might be India’s best bet. Kishan’s strength lies in his ability to counter both pace and spin bowling effectively. His attacking approach and flair make him a valuable asset at the top order, where he can provide quick starts and put the opposition bowlers under pressure. Considering his left-handed batting, the southpaw can be a useful option against left-arm spin matchups.
Hardik has brought a breath of fresh air to the Indian T20I setup. His experience as a successful leader with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL has translated well into his captaincy for Team India. Pandya’s ability to win matches for both his franchise and the national team with his all-around performances has made him a valuable asset.
As a player, the star allrounder has been consistent with both bat and ball, showcasing his skills and match-winning abilities. His performances for GT in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been particularly noteworthy, where he has displayed his preference for batting in the top five. This approach allows him to play the anchor role, providing much-needed stability to the side while allowing other batters around him to play more aggressively.
In the absence of regular anchor Kohli, Pandya’s presence in the top order becomes even more crucial. He can stabilize the innings and build partnerships, which can prove pivotal in chasing or setting up targets in T20 cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav‘s impressive performances in the T20I format have certainly established him as one of the leading batters in the world. His consistent run-scoring and aggressive style of play has made him a vital asset in the Indian team for the past couple of years.
With 1675 runs in just 46 T20I matches at an outstanding average of 46.52 and a exceptional strike rate of 175.76, Yadav’s numbers speak volumes about his impact in the format. His three T20I centuries are a testament to his aptness to score big and change the course of the game single-handedly. In the number five position, Yadav will have the opportunity to read the game situation and tailor his innings accordingly. This pivotal position allows him to provide stability to the middle-order and capitalize on the platform set by the top-order batters.
Tilak Varma, the young cricketer from MI, has shown immense promise and potential with his impressive performances in the cash-rich league. In his debut IPL season, Varma made a strong statement by amassing 397 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 36.09. This astonishing performance in his first IPL season showcased his potential to adapt to the demands of high-level cricket and perform consistently.
Building on his initial success, Varma continued to excel in the following IPL season, scoring 343 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 42.87. This further solidified his position as a promising young talent in the T20 format. With the potential to perform consistently and score runs at a good strike rate, Varma has the potential to be a valuable asset at the top of the order for Team India. His style of play, which combines a mix of attacking shots and the ability to rotate strike, can provide a strong foundation for the team’s innings.
Axar Patel‘s presence as the only other all-rounder in the T20I squad alongside Hardik provides valuable balance and depth to the Indian team. Batting at No. 7, he will be entrusted with finishing duties, given his composure and ability to handle pressure situations. Nevertheless, his capability to take on spin bowling effectively makes him a valuable asset, and he could be promoted up the order to face more balls if needed.
Known for his reliability across all formats, Axar will be eager to make a mark in the upcoming T20I series against West Indies. This will serve as a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills and contribute significantly to the team’s success in the shortest format. In the 25 T20I matches he has played for India, the left-arm spinner has been a valuable lower-middle-order batter, amassing 288 runs at an astounding strike rate of 152.38. Moreover, Patel’s contributions to the ball have been equally significant. He has picked up 37 wickets in the T20I format, showcasing his effectiveness as a bowler. His left-arm spin can be a potent weapon, especially on pitches that assist spin bowling.
Yuzvendra Chahal, a prominent member of the Indian T20I setup for several years, has undoubtedly faced challenges with his form in recent months. Nonetheless, as an experienced and skilled leg-spinner, he will be eager to bounce back and make amends during the upcoming series against West Indies. Chahal’s career in T20 internationals has seen him scalp 91 wickets in 75 matches, a testament to his ability to take crucial breakthroughs. While he has been a wicket-taking bowler, his economy rate of 8.14 suggests that he has been occasionally expensive.
Arshdeep Singh‘s rise from the ranks to make his debut in T20Is for India is a testament to his talent and hard work. As a death overs specialist, he has quickly established himself as a crucial member of the Indian team in the shortest format of the game. Since his debut, Arshdeep has showcased his propensity to excel under pressure situations, making him the go-to bowler for the national team in crucial moments of the game, especially during the death overs.
With an impressive tally of 41 wickets in just 26 matches at an economy rate of 8.39, Arshdeep’s statistics speak volumes about his effectiveness as a bowler in T20 cricket. His knack for taking wickets and containing the flow of runs makes him a valuable asset in the Indian bowling attack.
Umran Malik, the young tearaway fast bowler, is undoubtedly a promising talent with a raw pace that can be a potent weapon for India in the T20 format. Anyhow, he has a point to prove after going wicketless in the series. While his pace adds the much-needed X factor to the Indian bowling attack, he will need to work on improving his skill and accuracy to become more effective on the international stage.
Avesh Khan’s inclusion as the third fast bowler in the Indian lineup adds a valuable dimension to the team’s bowling attack. With his versatility and faculty to perform in different phases of the game, he can be the go-to bowler for India in the middle overs, taking important wickets and controlling the run rate.
India’s best XI for the T20I series against West Indies:
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan.
India’s T20I squad for the West Indies series:
Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.
