India will be looking for improved performance from their bowlers.
Hello and welcome to the coverage of the third T20 International between India and the West Indies at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
After 501 runs were piled up in Ranchi, where the visitors chased down India’s 250-run target with more than an over to spare, the spotlight is once again on the bowlers.
Indore, with its flat pitch and short boundaries, offers little comfort to either attack. Execution in the field could prove decisive, with dropped catches and missed chances carrying a heavy price.
India learnt that the hard way in Ranchi, where Mayank Yadav dropped Sherfane Rutherford on 38. The left-hander went on to smash 84 off 37 balls, sharing a 120-run stand with captain Shai Hope, who has also struck two centuries on the tour.
India’s bowlers must find a way to contain Hope and Rutherford, particularly with dew likely to make conditions tougher. Despite Mayank’s early strikes, the visitors remained unfazed and completed their highest successful run chase, exposing India’s inability to defend a formidable total.
There have, however, been encouraging signs with the bat. Shreyas Iyer has rediscovered his touch after working with former batting coach Abhishek Nayar, scoring an unbeaten 102 before following it up with a brisk 40 off 18 balls.
Sanju Samson’s 82 off 41 deliveries in Ranchi has also strengthened his case, potentially keeping teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the playing XI.
Coach Gautam Gambhir has reiterated the need for flexibility in the middle order, with Shivam Dube promoted to No. 4 ahead of Iyer in the previous match. India are expected to continue experimenting with combinations.
The bigger concern remains Arshdeep Singh, who has conceded 79 runs for just one wicket in two games. Mayank, with his express pace and three wickets in Ranchi, has offered a brighter prospect.
West Indies will also take heart from Roston Chase’s 3/24, while Shamar Springer’s expensive spell could prompt a change as the visitors seek another victory.
Squads:
India: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Naman Dhir, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies: Shai Hope (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Jewel Andrew (Wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (Wicketkeeper), Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
Match starts at 7:00 pm IST.
