We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for West Indies vs India, 1st T20I Match at Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad
Only three women’s T20Is have been played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. The highest total recorded and chased is the same: 156 for 7 by South Africa Women against West Indies Women. Overall, the pitch has a reputation for producing high-scoring games at the domestic level.
Time: July 29, 8 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs for West Indies & India
Probable XI for West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith/Dominic Drakes/Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, Hayden Walsh Jr
Despite Ishan Kishan being in the squad, India preferred Pant as Rohit’s opening partner. This team combination helps them play five specialist bowlers, a part-time bowler in Hooda, and the ever-accomodating Hardik.
Probable XI for India: Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja/Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin/Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
Power Players for the Match
Rohit Sharma has scored the most runs in the T20Is between India and West Indies. He has scored 585 runs at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 140, including a hundred and four fifties.
In a mere 10 T20Is, Nicholas Pooran has smashed 324 runs against India. In the ODI series, he scored 141 runs at 47. Scoring runs against the quality attack of India seems like an easy job for him.
Rishabh Pant too maintains an impressive record against the West Indies: 282 runs, including three fifties, at a strike rate of 141. He comes from a memorable tour of England, where he scored a stunning 125* in a challenging chase in the final ODI. A dashing opener who keeps wickets in T20s is a delight for fantasy players.
Talking of courageous batters, Suryakumar Yadav’s hundred against England in the final T20I was sensational. The situation did not bog him down from playing the wide array of shots he has in his armoury. His scores against the West Indies read 34*, 8, and 65.
Smart Picks for the Match
Since the conclusion of the Indian T20 League, Hardik Pandya has scored 217 runs at an average of 43 and taken 6 wickets (of which 5 came against England) in 9 T20Is.
In the same time period, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 12 wickets at an average of 14, including a four-for against South Africa and a three-for against England.
Rovman Powell could not make significant contributions in the ODIs, but his top scores against India in T20Is make a good reading: 54, 32*, 68*, and 25. The responsibility of continuing or laying the rampage in the middle overs is on him.
Kuldeep Yadav likes feeding on the West Indian batters. In addition to his hat-trick in ODIs, he has taken eight wickets in four T20Is.
Shimron Hetmyer has passed the fitness test and is back in the West Indies setup. Having played against and bossed the Indian bowlers in the Indian T20 League will be an added advantage. Against India, he has hit 178 runs at a strike rate of 138.
Harshal Patel has not gone wicketless in his last 10 T20Is, managing a total of 14 wickets. His variations and ability to apply them at the right time makes him a crucial bowler for both India and fantasy players.
Romario Shepherd has been useful with his all-round skills of late. He picked the most wickets (6) in the Bangladesh T20Is. With the bat, he averages 37 and strikes at 151 in the format.
Jason Holder’s inclusion will further boost West Indies’ all-round setup. He bowls in the powerplay and at the death, and has the ability to use the long handle to devastating effect.
Also Read:
How to pick a winning fantasy cricket team
West Indies vs India, 1st T20I Match Preview
Under Rohit Sharma, India have won 27 of 32 T20Is. Against West Indies, India have won 13 of 19 T20Is. If we go by numbers, India are clearly ahead in the race. However, the home team is studded with T20 specialists. Although they lost the ODI series, they put up a good fight and batted well as a unit.