IND vs WI, 1st T20I: Preview, stats, and Fantasy XI
What's the story
After routing the West Indies by a 3-0 margin in the ODI series, Team India will be aiming to start well in the T20I series, starting February 16.
All three T20I matches will be held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Both teams will hope to experiment and test players given the ICC T20 World Cup later this year.
Here's more.
Context
Why does this story matter?
India have already suffered a few blows, losing KL Rahul and Axar Patel ahead of the series.
On Monday, Washington Sundar was ruled out as well after suffering a left hamstring muscle strain.
Therefore, India will try and make things work with the others and seek a balance.
West Indies will want to perform well after a sheepish performance with the bat in ODIs.
Selection
Team India will want to choose wisely
India could hand Ishan Kishan the chance to open alongside Rohit Sharma.
The likes of Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav can be tested in the middle-order.
It remains to be seen who between Venkatesh Iyer or Deepak Hooda gets the chance as the all-rounder.
With Sundar gone, India could play two wrist-spinners in the form of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
WI
WI will aim for a fresh start
WI lost the ODI series and the idea will be to press the restart button and go about the job well.
The visitors had overcome England 3-2 recently in T20Is and that can give them confidence.
WI have a strong squad with several players earning bumper IPL contracts over the weekend.
Now it will be time to showcase the strength on offer.
Information
Here is the head-to-head record
The two teams have faced each other on 17 occasions in T20Is to date. India have won 10 matches. West Indies have pocketed six matches. One match didn't have a result. Notably, India have won eight of the last nine T20Is versus WI.
Probable XI
A look at the probable XI of both teams
India probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
West Indies probable XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Romario Shepherd, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard/Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell
Details
Pitch report, timing and TV listing
The Eden Gardens pitch will have something for everybody.
Batters will enjoy themselves here and dew factor could play a role.
Teams would love to field first keeping the factors in mind.
The match will start at 7:30 PM IST.
One can watch the match live on Star Sports Network and stream the same on Hotstar app (paid subscription).
Stats
Kohli can surpass Guptill
Virat Kohli has racked up 3,227 runs in T20Is at an average of 52.04.
He has 29 fifties to his name with the best of 94*.
Kohli is currently the second-highest scorer in T20Is and is behind Martin Guptill of New Zealand, who has smashed 3,299 runs.
Kohli needs 73 runs to surpass Guptill.
Information
Decoding the Fantasy XI
A look at the fantasy picks: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Jason Holder (vc), Romario Shepherd, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Odean Smith, Yuzvendra Chahal