Team India is all set to play the West Indies in the first game of the three T20I series to be held at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The teams have arrived at the venue and are undergoing training and practice conforming to COVID protocols. It was confirmed today that the first game will be held behind closed doors, which means no fans will be allowed to attend the game.
Team India is heading into this series after winning the ODI series 3-0 against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. They will be confident about their chances in the T20 series and with Rohit Sharma fit and raring to go, the leadership is in safe hands. There were some injury concerns but rest assured, the substitutes are also of top-caliber.
The West Indies will be looking to get off to a winning start here after losing 3-0 to the Indians in the ODI series. The Windies struggled to adapt to the Ahmedabad track, but they will be hoping that they have a change in fortunes at the Eden Gardens.
The first T20I between India and West Indies will take place on the 16th of February, 2022.
India vs West Indies 1st T20I – Pitch Report
The pitch is going to offer a lot of support to the batters as the ball comes nicely onto the bat. The spinners are also likely to receive ample help from the pitch.
India vs West Indies 1st T20I – Probable XI
India
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
West Indies
Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Romario Shepherd, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell
India vs West Indies 1st T20I – Players to Watch
Rohit Sharma
The new skipper of the Indian Cricket Team, there aren’t many batters who are more lethal than the hitman Rohit Sharma. He is capable of giving the team incredible starts as he opens the batting and gets off the mark almost immediately. He is coming in fresh from a whitewash victory in the ODI series and with the IPL coming ever so close, he will be looking to switch into the T20 mood.
Rishab Pant
KL Rahul’s absence means Rishab Pant has been promoted to the role of vice-captain. The maverick wicket-keeper batsman will be looking to capitalize on this promotion and produce those classy performances with the bat.
Jason Holder
He has been Mr.Consistent for the West Indies and he will be looking to keep his form going and hopefully get a win for his team. He is effective with the bat and ball and the Windies will need him to strike with both.
Kieron Pollard
He is an experienced campaigner but has been in the lukewarm form of late. If the West Indies are to win a game against India in this format, they will need Pollard firing on all cylinders.
India vs West Indies 1st T20I – Fantasy Lineup No.1
Wicket Keeper – Rishab Pant, Ishan Kishan
Batters – Rohit Sharma (c), Rovman Powell, Suryakumar Yadav, Brandon King
All-Rounders – Jason Holder (vc), Kieron Pollard
Bowlers – Deepak Chahar, Odean Smith, Harshal Patel
India vs West Indies 1st T20I – Fantasy Lineup No.2
Wicket Keeper – Rishab Pant
Batters – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Kyle Mayers, Brandon King
All-Rounders – Jason Holder, Deepak Hooda
Bowlers – Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel (vc), Akeal Hosein
India vs West Indies 1st T20I – Predicted Winner
We expect Team India to continue their winning streak and get a win in the first T20I against the West Indies.
