Kolkata, First Published Feb 16, 2022, 11:28 AM IST
Kolkata: Team India enters the IND vs WI T20I Series today in the excitement of sweeping the ODI series against the West Indies. In the first T20, Rohit Sharma lined up everyone in the playing XI. There are indications that a young spinner may have a chance to make his debut, even if he has experience on the team.
Will Rohit surprise you?
Ishant Kishan along with skipper Rohit Sharma may get a chance in the opening. At number three, Virat Kohli will remain unchanged. Shreyas Iyer may be given a chance along with Suryakumar Yadav in the middle order. Rishabh is sure to continue the ball behind the wicket. In the absence of KL Rahul, Rishabh will have the additional responsibility of vice-captain of Team India. Deepak Chahar, who bagged Rs 14 crore in the IPL star auction, will also be in the XI. Deepak’s excellence in Newball is a hope for the team. The team can also rely on Deepak’s bat.
After suffering from injuries and lack of form, pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a golden opportunity to make a name for himself in the team. Meanwhile, in the absence of Jaspreet Bumra and Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj will lead the bowling unit. Rohit Sharma’s 21-year-old Ravi Bishnoi is all set to make his debut in front of fans waiting to see the Kuldeep-Chahal duo again. India may give a chance to left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who is awaiting his return. In any case, two of Kuldeep, Chahal and Bishnoi will make the team.
India possible XI: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishant Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper, vice-captain), Deepak Chahar, Mohammad Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav.
Eyes on Kishan and Shreyas
The eye is on wicketkeeper-batsman Ishant Kishan and midfielder Shreyas Iyer, who have won the IPL star auction. Ishant Kishan was the most valuable player in the IPL 2022 mega star auction with his explosive batting ability. Ishant was retained in the Mumbai Indians squad at a cost of Rs 15.25 crore. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer was the highest paid Marquee player. Kolkata Knight Riders ransacked Shreyas for Rs 12.25 crore. With KL Rahul and Ravindra Jade not against the Windies, Shreyas will be able to work in the middle order.
Match night
The first match of the India-West Indies T20 series will be played at 7.30 pm in Kolkata. Second-ranked India can claim the upper hand against seventh-ranked West Indies but should not be lazy as it is a Twenty20 format. The arrival of the Windies in the Twenty20 series against the mighty England is noteworthy. India can top the world rankings if they sweep the series. Kieron Pollard, who missed the last two matches of the ODI series, is likely to return to captain the Windies.
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Last Updated Feb 16, 2022, 11:35 AM IST