Following a relatively mundane 3-0 whitewash, India and West Indies are set to take their rivalry onto the next level as the format shifts to the more power-packed and dynamic T20Is. All three games of the series will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and in this article, we will be previewing the venue with our pitch report and weather report, T20 records, and team analysis.
Team News
Hosts India head into the series on the back of a few minor inconveniences, as a few of their first choice players will be missing out the 3-match affair owing to injuries. Vice-captain KL Rahul and all-rounder Axar Patel had been ruled out even before the week started, but the latest India player to join that list of sidelined players is Washington Sundar. Deepak Hooda and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been named as Axar and Rahul’s respective replacements in the side, although it seems unlikely India will be able to obtain a substitute for Washi at such sort notice owing to bio-bubble restrictions.
Nonetheless, even with those few handicaps, India will start as the undisputed favorites over their maroon-clad rivals. The team composition remains more-or-less the same from the squad that featured in the ODIs, along with a few returning names like Venkatesh Iyer, Harshal Patel, and the highly experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar. At some point in the series, expect the likes of Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan- two players who have been on the sidelines so far- to get a chance to feature in the T20I playing XI.
Meanwhile, West Indies would be hoping that a change in format brings some much-needed turn-around to their dismal fortunes. Barring a few occasions, the men-in-maroon never really seemed to be in control during the ODIs. Thankfully, the shortest format of the game is the one where they are the most pedigreed, which should make for some good competition in the upcoming matches.
It remains to be seen whether captain Kieron Pollard has fully recovered from his illness to walk back into the playing XI, or if Nicholas Pooran will continue leading the side. The exciting part will be to see their mercurial all-rounders like Romario Shepherd, Dominic Drakes, Odean Smith, Rovman Powell, and Kyle Mayers- almost all of whom have bagged lucrative IPL deals- in action against the men-in-blue. The likes of Roston Chase, Brandon King, and Shai Hope will also have a chance at making a case for themselves for the upcoming WT20 later in Australia this year. Expect the T20I series to be an exciting and closely-contested affair.
T20 records
| Total matches | 8 |
| Matches won batting first | 3 |
| Matches won bowling first | 5 |
| Average 1st Inns scores | 148 |
| Average 2nd Inns scores | 124 |
| Highest total recorded | 201/5 (20 Ov) by PAK vs BAN |
| Lowest total recorded | 70/10 (15.4 Ov) by BAN vs NZ |
| Highest score chased | 161/6 (19.4 Ov) by WI vs ENG |
| Lowest score defended | 145/8 (20 Ov) by NZ vs BAN |
Highest score by a batter: Marlon Samuels (West Indies), 85*, vs England 2016
Best bowling figures: Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh), 5/22, vs New Zealand 2016
Eden Gardens Kolkata Pitch Report for IND vs WI T20
The Eden Gardens has a good surface for batting with a pitch that slightly grips the ball and favors batters who take time in playing their strokes. Pacers who are adept at bowling slower deliveries tend to enjoy bowling on this wicket. Spinners don’t usually get a lot of turn on this venue, but the slowness of the deck plays to their advantage in deceiving batters.
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Kolkata Weather Report during the Series
Wednesday is predicted to be a bright and sunny day at the venue, although that’s not going to have much significance for a night match. Fans will, however, appreciate the fact that chances of precipitation are predicted to be 0 percent.