India vs West Indies 1st T20I Preview: Sans Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, India to bank on Rohit Sharma magic

After successful stints in Tests and ODIs, India will look to register another series win against West Indies in the shortest format.

When Rohit Sharma will step up as captain for India in the 1st T20I against West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday, it will signal the dawn of a new era for the men in blue in the shortest format – a one without MS Dhoni. The 2007 T20I World Cup winning team skipper was excluded from the squad, with poor performances in the last few games. In spite of chief selector, MSK Prasad insisting that it will not be the end of Dhoni’s career in T20Is, with several youngsters such as Rishabh Pant, Krunal Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, making it into the team, it seems the wicketkeeper-batsman will find it hard to find a place for himself in the team.

Skipper Virat Kohli has also been rested from the T20Is as well which means once again, it will be Rohit Sharma, who will take on the captaincy duties. Sharma did not shy away from expressing his desire to become India’s captain in the limited-overs after leading India to Asia Cup title. The right-handed batsman also compared himself to Dhoni and said that he remains as calm as the former India captain on the field.

Now, after registering easy wins in Tests and ODIs, India will look towards Sharma to lead them into the T20Is to maintain India’s winning run at home, and also to prove his tenacity as captain. The Mumbai batsman was excellent in the 50-overs series, scoring 389 runs, at an average of 129.66, only less than Kohli. He also excelled with the bat in the Asia Cup and scored 317 runs in 5 games at an average of 105.67.

In Kohli’s absence, KL Rahul is expected to return to the side at No. 3 position. India will most likely include Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik into the team as well, with either of them taking over the keeping duties. It remains to be seen who fills up the middle order between Manish Pandey and Shreyas Iyer. India might spring up a surprise and give Krunal Pandya his maiden cap as well. The hosts are likely to go with five bowlers – three seamers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Khaleel Ahmed – and two spinners – Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

West Indies, who will be led by Carlos Braithwaite, could pose a tricky challenge with several T20 specialists including Kieron Pollard, Andre Russel, Darren Bravo returning to the team. The side won the 2016 T20I World Cup title with the final win coming at came at Eden Gardens, with Braithwaite smacking England’s Ben Stokes for three sixes in the final over. India also suffered a defeat at the hand of same opposition in 2016 T20I World Cup tournament against West Indies. The stats also favour the visitors in the format. In 8 T20Is between the two teams, India have won two, while lost five against the opposition.

For Windies, the 3-match T20I series is a shot at redemption, and they will hope they can overpower the home side to prove their capabilities in the shortest format.

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, K Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem

West Indies Squad: Carlos Brathwaite (Capt), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Oshane Thomas, Khary Pierre, Obed McCoy, Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran