After a BCCI working committee meeting early in August, the board announced that India will be playing two T20Is against West Indies in Florida on the 27th and 28th August. This announcement immediately sparked the imagination of cricket fans around the world as the two T20 heavyweights were set to face off in unchartered territory for the first time.
The USA is emerging as a new market for cricket and that can only be good news for the game. After the Caribbean Premier League held a league of matches there recently, the Central Broward Regional Park is now set for more action.
What added to the excitement was the fact that both India and West Indies named star studded line-ups for the historic series. MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah will join the Indian side, while the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell are back for the Windies.
India’s 14-man squad for the two T20Is certainly caught the eye. Suresh Raina, From the World T20 squad earlier this year, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Pawan Negi, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra and Manish Pandey are notable absentees, while KL Rahul, Amit Mishra and Staurt Binny make the cut.
The last time these two sides faced each other in the shortest format of the game, the Windies shattered India’s hopes in the semi-finals at the Wankhede by chasing down a mammoth total of 192.
Will India gain revenge? Or will the Windies assert their dominance?
Here, we try to predict the playing XI for the Indians as they embark on their latest journey:
1) Shikhar Dhawan – Gabbar Ji
India’s man at the top for all seasons Shikhar Dhawan will lead the line at the top of the batting order. Controversy comes and controversy goes, but Shikhar Dhawan rolls on. While many people have asked for him to be axed from the team in the 3 formats, Dhawan always has the knack of playing a good knock at the right time. He should find himself absolutely at home in the two T20s against Windies and will be expected to do well.
He generally takes a little time to get going in T20s, but is generally unstoppable once he gets his eye in.
2) Rohit Sharma – The destroyer
It’s certainly a good time to be Rohit Sharma. He should be high on confidence after having gained Virat Kohli’s trust in the recently concluded Test series against the Windies. While questions persist over his technique in the Tests, he is absolutely at home in the shortest format of the game. He had an indifferent run in the World T20s earlier this year, but did show good form for the Mumbai Indians.
Rohit Sharma will be a good bet to hit the maximum number of sixes in the series.
3) Virat Kohli – T20s Donald Bradman
Virat Kohli has seen his stock rise in 2016. First, as a batsman, and now, as a leader. He led his troops to a morale boosting win over the Windies in the Test series. He promoted himself to the No. 3 spot in the last two Tests, and while questions remain over his suitability at that position in Test cricket, he is an absolute collosal at No. 3 in T20s. He was the force behind India’s run to the semis in the World T20 and nearly led the Royal Challengers Bangalore to the title.
The last time the Windies faced Kohli, he had 0 T20 100s. Now, he has 4.
4) Ajinkya Rahane – Mr. Consistent
Ajinkya Rahane is another who has seen his stock rise over the past couple of months. While he does not feature in the discussion of ‘best batsmen in the world’ just yet, if he keeps up his recent run of form, there is nothing to stop him. He should come into the T20s in fine form, having performed exceptionally in the Test series. With Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh missing out, Rahane will be expected to be the rock in the middle order.
He can come into bat at any position and do a good job.
5) KL Rahul – Poster boy in the making
KL Rahul has a lot to thank Virat Kohli for in the past couple of months. It all started with a position in the RCB side, which he owned with a number of sterling performances. He followed that with an impressive performance in Zimbabwe and capped it off in the recent Tests against the Windies. He has dispelled misconceptions of him being only a Test player with his fluent stroke-making recently.
He played a few matches at No. 4 for the RCB and did well. It will be interesting to see how he is accomodated in this squad.
6) MS Dhoni – The King
Social media has been abuzz with MS Dhoni’s imminent return to the Indian setup. Some people are still trying to get over his retirement in the Tests, but there remains no doubt over the fact that he still is one of the best finishers in the world in the shorter formats of the game. While Dhoni put up a brave face after the semi-final loss against the Windies in the World T20, it is sure to have hurt him.
Dhoni is back and will perform well. But will we get to see him bat if he stays at this position in the batting order? Or will we see him promoting himself?
7) Ravindra Jadeja – The rockstar
Ravindra Jadeja has all the skills to excel in a game over 20 overs. He can score runs at a quick rate, he can pick up wickets while remaining economical and he can be exceptional in the field. He is the perfect all-rounder to have in the shortest format of the game. He will be disappointed to have not seen much action in the Test series and will be looking to make a mark.
Jadeja will be keen to leave a match-changing impact. While he’s the perfect squad player, there are not many ‘Ravindra Jadeja’ moments fans can recall.
8) Ravichandran Ashwin – Mr. Man of the series
Ravichandran Ashwin returns to the format where he made his name, T20 cricket after winning another ‘man of the series’ trophy in the West Indies. Not only did he do a commendable job with the ball, he was exceptional with the bat as well. India only have 6 batsmen in the squad but will not have to worry about that with Ashwin’s inclusion.
The duo of Ashwin and Jadeja should restrict Stuart Binny to a role on the bench.
9) Jasprit Bumrah – India’s yorker man
Jasprit Bumrah will enjoy a long flight with his captain MS Dhoni where he can remind Dhoni of his ability to bowl yorkers at the death. The ability to bowl yorkers is one he worked upon and improved as time went by, using it to deadly effect in this year’s IPL. He will be fresh for these two games and should come charging in.
10) Bhuvneshwar Kumar – ‘I can swing it any way’
Bhunveshwar Kumar rescued a Test match that was on its way to a drab draw with an incredible spell of swing bowling in the third Test against the Windies. He was not a part of the setup during the World T20, but surely made the team management regret that decision with his performance in this year’s IPL. He was exceptional for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who went on to win the IPL.
Bhuvneshwar has picked up the wicket of Gayle on a few occasions and it will be interesting to see how he goes.
11) Mohammad Shami – The workhorse
Mohammad Shami is one who has not been considered for selection in T20s very often. He’s only played 4 T20Is with his last one coming in September, 2014. This might be the perfect opportunity for the seamer to prove his credientials after having had a good Test series. While it remains to be seen whether India will decide to go in with 3 spinners, Mohammad Shami looks like a good bet now to complete the line-up.
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