India vs West Indies: Which battles will determine the outcome?
What's the story
The Indian cricket team is set to take on West Indies in the first T20I to be held in Hyderabad on Friday. One expects to see both teams produce an entertaining brand of cricket and gain impetus in the three-match series. India beat Bangladesh 2-1 in the previous series, whereas, WI lost against Afghanistan. Here are the key battles, which we would witness.
Battle 1
Sheldon Cottrell vs Rohit Sharma could set things up
Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell will be crucial for West Indies with the new ball. His application against Rohit Sharma at the top could set things up. He has picked up 27 wickets from 19 T20Is and will be aiming to bowl in the zone against Rohit, who can be a suspect to left-arm pacers. Rohit will look to negotiate Cottrell well.
Battle 2
Deepak Chahar vs Lendl Simmons promises aplenty
Deepak Chahar has been on a supreme run of form in T20Is. The right-arm pacer hardly sets a foot wrong in the power-play. He has the tendency in keeping things under check. Opening batsman Lendl Simmons will need to be wary of Chahar. The experienced campaigner has amassed 914 runs in 46 T20Is. He needs to give his side a solid start.
Battle 3
Yuzvendra Chahal vs Shimron Hetmyer a crucial offering
Yuzvendra Chahal has been a strong asset for Team India in T20Is. The spinner has already claimed 50 scalps and will be decisive for the side in the middle. Chahal will want to attack youngster Shimron Hetmyer. The southpaw is crucial for WI in the middle order in the absence of Nicholas Pooran. He needs to handle his aggression well.
Battle 4
Windies skipper Kieron Pollard will target Kuldeep Yadav
Kieron Pollard is a sheer match-winner and can smash those mega sixes at will. He was recently seen in the Abu Dhabi T10 League and decimated the Tuskers with a fierce 45*. Pollard knows the Indian conditions well and will challenge Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm spinner hasn't been going strong of late and conceded plenty of runs in Indian Premier League 2019.