India’s Playing XI: India and West Indies will lock horns in five T20I games starting from the 29th of July. While India has rested a few seniors, a few such as Rohit Sharma will be available for the event. West Indies did well in the ODI series despite losing it. T20 format is their forte and hence, the Indians will have a stiff challenge. In the context of the 2022 T20 World Cup, the series will be important for visitors. On that note, let’s take a look at predicted India’s playing XI for the T20I series against West Indies.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (C) and Rishabh Pant (WK)
Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant will be the openers in India’s strongest XI for the T20I series against West Indies. Both were rested for the ODI series. They will now be available for the T20I tournament.
In the previous series, India had made use of the Rohit-Pant opening combination. With KL Rahul missing due to COVID, we could see Rohit and Pant together, again.
Middle-Order: Suryakumar Yadav and Dinesh Karthik
Suryakumar Yadav smashed a century in the T20I series against England. He is in red-hot form and with Virat Kohli rested, there are no doubts about who would take up the No.3 spot.
With regards to pure middle-order batters, Dinesh Karthik is the likely selection. However, he will operate at No.6 or higher, based on the situation.
All-Rounders: Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja
It will be a strong all-rounders’ unit in India’s XI for the T20I series against West Indies. Deepak Hooda did well with the ball against West Indies. Therefore, with his good form with the bat, he is a certain selection. However, if KL Rahul returns, Hooda might have to make way.
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will render the balance to the XI. Depending on Jaddu’s injury, Axar Patel could also get an opportunity. With Pant batting as an opener, Jadeja could be promoted as a left-hand option in the middle overs.
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh
While Bhuvneshwar Kumar selects himself as the leader of the pace attack, Harshal Patel will be backed as the death-overs specialist. These two will form the core of the pace attack.
With Yuzvendra Chahal rested, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to feature. Ravi Bishnoi is also an option. For the third seamer spot, there will be a fight between Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh. However, the latter could get the chance because he is a left-arm seamer.
