Hardik Pandya needs to step up to inspire India level the T20I series (Image - AP Photos)
The focus will now shift from Trinidad to Guyana, where the West Indies will try to consolidate their lead over India by defeating them once more in the second T20I of the five-match series.
WI vs IND: Team Previews
West Indies
The Caribbean outfit will be full of confidence in this fixture after successfully defending 37 runs off the final five overs to secure an incredible victory less than 72 hours ago. Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, and Jason Holder all displayed impressive ball control throughout the match, while Romario Shepherd bowled beautifully in the final over and only allowed four runs to seal the game's fate.
The West Indies must, however, work on their batting. Although Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, and Rovman Powell batted aggressively, the struggles of the others prevented them from posting a significant total after opting to bat first. However, they are unlikely to tweak their winning combination.
India
There is a lot to worry about for the Men in Blue. Despite fielding an ultra-aggressive lineup full of talented youngsters, they were unable to pursue a sub-par target of 150 successfully.
Given that the conditions in Guyana will help the spinners even more, Rahul Dravid and Co. are unlikely to change their playing XI despite the defeat. Therefore, the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to retain their places, while Sanju Samson would like to bat among the top five to do more damage to the opposition.
It will be interesting to see Hardik Pandya's strategies in this match. The 29-year-old all-rounder received harsh criticism for some of his decisions in the series opener, including promoting himself over Samson and denying Chahal the opportunity to bowl his full four-over quota.
WI vs IND: Match Details & Live Streaming
| Match Date | August 6, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Time | 8 PM IST |
| Venue | Providence Stadium, Guyana |
| Live Streaming and Broadcast | FanCode, JioCinema, DD Sports |
WI vs IND: Guyana Pitch Report
The spinners will benefit from Providence Stadium even more than the pacers. The surface has traditionally been sluggish, which means there is a high possibility of another low-scoring affair on the cards.
West India vs India Head to Head in T20Is
In their previous six encounters with India, the West Indies only had two victories. In their 26 attempts against the Caribbean, the Men in Blue have triumphed 17 times overall while losing eight times.
Players to watch out for
Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma, on debut, scored 39 off 22 balls vs WI (Image - AP Photos)
Tilak Varma displayed a wide range of strokes against WI in the series opener. The 20-year-old player did not appear to be one making their debut, and he was the only one besides Arshdeep Singh to have a strike rate of over 120.
Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran scored 41 off 34 balls vs IND (Image - Twitter)
When Yuzvendra Chahal struck twice in three balls in the first T20I, Nicholas Pooran entered the game. He got off by hitting a four, then a dot, then a six, and sped through seven deliveries to reach 23. The swashbuckling batter seemed like a man in form, and no wonder he will be in focus yet again.
WI vs IND: Probable 11
West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell (c), Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, Alzarri Joseph
India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar
WI vs IND: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-keepers: Nicholas Pooran, Ishan Kishan
Batters: Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rovman Powell, Tilak Varma
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav/Nicholas Pooran
Vice-captain: Yuzvendra Chahal
WI vs IND: Winner Prediction
Losing the first game of the series as a captain is nothing new for Hardik Pandya. He saw the same result earlier this year in New Zealand. However, he bounced back strongly with the team in the final two games, and a similar outcome is anticipated in West Indies.
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