It is an interesting and exciting time for both India and the West Indies, with the five-match T20I series offering plenty to look forward to. From India’s perspective, there is a lot going on in terms of selecting teams and managing players across different formats, with the ODIs taking place at the same time. However, this particular series could be especially significant because it is against a West Indies side that is strongest in this format by some distance.
The West Indies will come into the series with some confidence after a decent performance towards the end of the ODI series. For India, meanwhile, this is an interesting phase because the team pretty much knows its frontline XI across formats. The focus now is on building squad depth, identifying players to invest time in and deciding who should be given opportunities.
That makes this five-match series particularly important for a number of players. Opportunities are knocking, and the question will be whether those players are good enough to take them.
One of the biggest questions is around India’s top order and the combination of the top two or three. The debate over whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play or whether Sanju Samson should be given the opportunity remains. Abhishek Sharma is expected to be part of the equation, but my preference is for Sooryavanshi to open alongside him.
I would want Soorryavanshi to open with Abhishek, Ishan Kishan at No. 3, skipper Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, Tilak Varma at No. 5 and Shivam Dube at No. 6. That, in my view, is India’s strongest lineup and the best option moving forward in this series.
Whether the selectors and Gautam Gambhir stick with that combination remains to be seen. I admire Gambhir for his loyalty to players who have been doing the job for many years and for being reluctant to throw away the hard work they have put in. That loyalty is understandable, but in this particular situation, the suggested combination is the best lineup and the best-form side for the series in my opinion.
Sanju Samson remains a difficult call. He has been a little out of touch in recent times, but he remains a match-winner in big games. That makes the decision around him a tough one, particularly when India have other options available in the top order.
There are also opportunities for players further down the lineup. Washington Sundar is expected to get limited opportunities in the series, while attention could be on Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav. Both are expected to get chances, and the important thing for India will be whether they are able to make the most of those opportunities. I also feel Naman Dhir may not get many opportunities in the series.
For India moving forward, having strike bowlers with confidence and form will be crucial, particularly when playing in major tournaments against good sides. That makes this series an important one for both Prince and Mayank. The opportunities are there, and their ability to take them could be significant.
Nitish Kumar Reddy is another player to watch closely. From a selection perspective, the focus should be on developing the bowling side of his game and getting results with the ball. He is primarily viewed as a batting all rounder, but if he is going to play in the side, particularly with Hardik unavailable for selection, his bowling contribution becomes an important area of focus.
There is a sense that this could provide a lifeline for Nitish moving forward. The question is how much he can contribute with the ball and whether he can develop that aspect of his game sufficiently to strengthen his value to the side.
Another factor that could have a bearing on the series is the composition of India’s batting lineup. It has been left-hand heavy for some time, with a number of left-handers in the team. That could become an important factor when India face the West Indies’ main bowling threats.
Akeal Hosein is one of the bowlers to watch, with the possibility that he could open the bowling. Gudakesh Motie is another major threat. Hosein is a left-arm spinner and, although slightly shorter than Motie, could be particularly effective on a surface such as the one at Ekana.
The surface at Ekana could potentially be a little slow and may stop slightly at times. That makes it possible for a bowler such as Motie, who can bowl from a good height into the surface, to make things more difficult for right handers. With India’s batting lineup containing a large number of left handers, however, that particular matchup could make things somewhat more straightforward for India.
That is one of the matchups worth keeping an eye on during the series. Roston Chase will also provide the West Indies with an off-spin option, adding another dimension to their bowling attack.
Beyond the combinations and matchups, workload is another consideration for India. The players are playing almost continuously, day in and day out, across formats. Freshness of mind will therefore be something the selectors will need to keep an eye on.
Rest and rotation could become particularly important during this five-match series. With so many games being played and so many players involved across formats, managing workloads while also giving opportunities to players in the squad could be an important part of India’s approach.
Ultimately, the series represents an opportunity for several players. The question is whether they are good enough to take those opportunities, and that will be one of the main things to watch over the course of the five matches.
The West Indies, meanwhile, come into the series on the back of a really good win and with their skipper in excellent touch. Shai Hope produced a fantastic hundred, and the side has a number of quality players who can pose a threat to India.
The strength of the West Indies side could particularly lie in its late middle order. Shimron Hetmyer is someone who could bat at No. 3, and I feel that he should be higher in the order. Rovman Powell is another key player, while Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford add further strength.
That left-handed middle order could be particularly strong. All of those players have also had substantial experience in the IPL over the years, meaning they have played in Indian conditions and come into the series with experience of facing Indian players and playing in the country.
That makes the West Indies middle order a genuine threat if those players are able to play anywhere near their best. Their familiarity with Indian conditions adds to the experience they bring into the series.
The West Indies have also called up Amir Jangoo following an injury to Jewel Andrew. Jangoo was in brilliant form during the ODI series, and now gets the opportunity to come into the T20I squad.
Overall, the West Indies have a number of players coming into the series with form as well as experience of these conditions. They are going to be highly motivated for what is a marquee series for them, particularly given that this is their strongest format by some distance.
That combination of confidence, form, experience and motivation should make the five-match series an interesting one to watch. India have several opportunities to assess and develop players, while the West Indies will be looking to build on their recent performance and make the most of their strength in this format.
For India, therefore, the series is not simply about results. It is also about identifying players who can take the opportunities presented to them, managing workloads and working out the combinations that can strengthen the side moving forward.
For the West Indies, it is an opportunity to carry the confidence from their recent performance into a format in which they feel particularly strong. India will need to be at their best to contain a West Indies team that genuinely fancies its chances in what is their strongest format of the game.
