Lucknow: The Asian Games gold medal winning Indian team will face West Indies in the first T20 International on Tuesday. Before the match to be held at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, the biggest question before the Indian team management is to include one of Sanju Samson and young Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the playing eleven.
VVS Laxman was the coach of the Indian team in the Asian Games and he had given place to both Samson and Suryavanshi in the playing-11. Now the command of the team rests on the strategic decisions of head coach Gautam Gambhir. Both the coaches are in favor of keeping the option of batting till number eight, but looking at the team combination, the possibility of Gambhir playing Samson and Suryavanshi together is considered less.
Option to field Samson at opening again
In view of the poor pitches in the Asian Games, Laxman had kept all three batsmen – Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sanju Samson in the team. Suryavanshi and world number one T20 batsman Abhishek opened the innings, while Samson came in at number three.
Gambhir can consider making Samson start the innings again on the pitch of Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The team has an option in the form of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the lower order. Samson has not been able to show the expected comfort at number three, whereas as an opening batsman he had scored two half-centuries in the last home T20 International series against Afghanistan.
Many options already in the middle order
There are options like captain Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, vice-captain Tilak Verma, Shivam Dubey, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel in the Indian middle order. In such a situation, the possibility of including both Suryavanshi and Samson in the final eleven seems very less.
The fast bowling department will also be an important selection puzzle for Gambhir. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, who have relatively less experience, are in the team along with experienced Arshdeep Singh. Mayank has played six and Prince three T20 international matches.
Akshar-Kuldeep will take command of spin in bowling
The responsibility of the spin department will be on the shoulders of Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. If Gambhir wants to give additional strength to the batting, then Naman Dheer may get a chance in place of Prince Yadav or Mayank Yadav.
It also remains to be seen whether captain Shreyas Iyer uses Abhishek Sharma's left-arm spin when needed. Abhishek proved his usefulness by taking some wickets in bowling during the Asian Games.
Big test for Iyer too
This series will also be an important test for captain Shreyas Iyer. Under his leadership, India has won T20 series against lower ranked teams like Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. Now they will face the challenge of West Indies, a strong team in T20 format.
West Indies has won the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2016. Talking about statistics, India has had the upper hand on home ground. India has won nine out of the last 10 matches against the Caribbean team on its own soil.
West Indies has an army of aggressive batsmen
West Indies has many aggressive players in T20 cricket. Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Akil Hussain have also been in demand in the IPL due to their experience of playing in Indian conditions.
The batting responsibility of the West Indies team captained by Shai Hope will be on Hope, Hetmyer, Powell and Sherfane Rutherford. In the all-rounder department, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Powell and Shepherd provide balance to the team.
In bowling, left arm spinner Akil Hussain and fast bowler Shamar Joseph will play important roles. Gudakesh Moti's left-arm spin and Chase's off-break bowling provide further variety to the Caribbean attack. The match will start at 7:00 pm
squads of both teams
India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dubey, Ishan Kishan, Naman Dheer, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies: Shai Hope (captain, wicketkeeper), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hussain, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Moti, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer, Aamir Ganju.
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