WI vs IND 3rd T20I preview: India look to avoid rare series defeat as West Indies eye history
Under-fire Indian batters would look to make amends for their below-par performances.
In the previous two T20Is and avoid West Indies from securing a rare series win when they take on hosts in the third T20I international in Guyana on Tuesday. Thanks to their 4-run win in Trinidad and a two-wicket heist in Guyana, West Indies have already secured a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and find themselves on the brink of achieving a historic feat – a series win against their formidable opponents.
India have been a formidable opponent for West Indies in recent times and are yet to lose a bilateral international series against the West Indies since August 2016, when the latter emerged victorious in a two-match T20I series, albeit by a 1-0 margin due to one match being abandoned. This remarkable streak of 15 successive series wins across various formats against the Caribbeans underscores India’s dominance.
India’s performance in the T20I series against West Indies has been less than stellar. Despite having a favourable winning record against the West Indies in T20Is, with 17 wins and seven losses, India has struggled in this series. They have lost the first two matches and are now on the brink of a series defeat.
WI last defeated India in a bilateral international series that lasted more than two matches in 2006. WI won that five-match ODI series 4-1. They haven’t done so in over a decade.
BATTING WOES FOR INDIA
Too much talk of intent, fresh attitude and fearlessness, but all these three things have not been visible in India’s batting in the first two T20Is. The Hardik Pandya-led side will need to bat with the fearlessness that it often preaches if it is to avoid a series defeat against the West Indies in the third T20 International on Tuesday.
The slow pitches available have not been ideal for batting, but as skipper Hardik Pandya pointed out after the loss on Sunday, India should have found a way to score an extra 10-20 runs. The shortest format requires batters to attack from ball one, which India’s top order, which includes Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav, has failed to provide.
BOWLERS MUST STOP POORAN
Bowlers must find a way to contain a rampaging Nicholas Pooran. The southpaw has been batting with contempt against Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi. Axar, the left-arm spinner, was not even used in the previous game. Hardik and Arshdeep Singh were able to swing the new ball in the second game, and they hope to do so again on Tuesday.
Chahal has been impressive in the series despite returning after a two-month absence. Bishnoi’s frequent googlies were ineffective in putting pressure on the opposition, forcing him to reconsider his plans. Pacer Mukesh Kumar has leaked the most runs for India, and he could be replaced by Avesh Khan or Umran Malik.
HIGH STAKES
As the teams prepare for the third T20I, the stakes are high. India are under pressure to avoid a rare series defeat, while the West Indies are eyeing a historic series win. The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to prove their mettle on the cricket field.
West Indies will be drawing inspiration from their past victories and looking to capitalize on their current momentum. On the other hand, India, despite being down by two matches, will undoubtedly bring their A-game to the table, aiming to break WI’s two-match winning streak.
Squads
West Indies Squad: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran(w), Rovman Powell(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith, Shai Hope, Oshane Thomas, Roston Chase
India Squad: Ishan Kishan(w), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya(c), Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan