After exiting the ICC World Cup 2019 in the semi-finals, the Indian cricket team is all set to face West Indies in a full-fledged series. The series consists of 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, and 2 Test matches. India will kick off their campaign with the T20Is in Florida and Guyana before the ODIs start.
The T20I team, in particular, sees many new faces and inexperienced names. But that’s the challenge for the Virat Kohli-led side to take on a fancied West Indies, who have a strong side of their own on offer. Meanwhile, the ODIs see the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Khaleel Ahmed, and Navdeep Saini getting opportunities.
Players such as Shubman Gill, who won the Man of the Series in recently concluded India A vs West Indies A ODI series, was completely overlooked. Shikhar Dhawan returns for both ODIs and T20Is after getting injured during the World Cup.
Many players, especially in the T20Is, had strong campaigns in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019. In this fast format, it will be tricky to contain a decent looking Windies outfit. In the ODIs, India will want to continue their strong run. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are the major absentees from both sides. Utility veteran batsman Dinesh Karthik has dropped altogether.
India’s squad for 3 ODIs: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kedar Jadhav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 21, 2019
India’s squad for 3 T20Is: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 21, 2019
Here we do a SWOT analysis of India’s squad for the ODIs and T20Is to face West Indies.
India’s top order the biggest strength like usual across both formats
The top-three comprising of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and skipper Virat Kohli have been the backbone of India’s batting order since many years now. Star opener Rohit, who was in devastating form in the World Cup 2019, will hope to carry on in similar fashion starting with the T20Is. His partner Dhawan will be aiming to get his rhythm back after recovering from the fractured finger that ruled him out midway in CWC 19.
Kohli will be keen to be amongst the runs. His captaincy gained a lot of maturity in World Cup 2019. Ravindra Jadeja has been named in both formats alongside the Test squad as well. That’s a big gain for Jaddu, who was terrific in England and Wales.
Meanwhile, the ODI team consists of Chahal, Kuldeep and Jadeja. So expect the side to go in with at least two spin options. This can be considered as one of India’s strength. West Indies may struggle against spin in ODIs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s presence is a bonus. He will lead the quartet and help the others to rally around him. With Mohammed Shami in the ODI scheme of things, his partnership with Bhuvi could unsettle Windies.
What are the weaknesses?
The middle-order is questionable across both formats. The absence of MS Dhoni could be telling. You need someone to calm the ship. So in the ODIs, a lot will depend on Kedar Jadhav. Also, Hardik Pandya’s flair and attacking credentials will be missed. India has had an issue with the middle order for a while now.
They have named both Iyer and Pandey in the squads and it remains to be seen how things shape up. Will KL Rahul be used as number four? He was a success as an opener in the 2019 World Cup. The question around India’s number four remains. Iyer can perhaps be given a look in. There is a lack of experience in this middle order.
Also, Pant’s immaturity and recklessness is a concern. This is a crucial phase for him.
Bhuvi is the only notable death bowler in both the squads. But apart from that, the other pacers could struggle here. The likes of Navdeep Saini, Khaleel, and Deepak Chahar need to show that they are more than IPL and domestic cricket.
There are many opportunities to offer
Even if the middle order looked inexperienced, there is an opportunity present for the likes of Pandey and Iyer to shine. Both were decent in the recently concluded unofficial ODI series against Windies A. Pandey was the only batsman to achieve the three-digit figure against West Indies A. The 29-year-old had a decent IPL 2019.
It’s a big chance for Pandey, who has appeared in 23 ODIs. He is a decent option in T20Is as well. Meanwhile, Iyer accumulated 187 runs with an average of more than 62 in 4 matches against WI A. With the number four spot on offer, things could get tight here. Also, pacers Khaleel and Saini can set the tempo going.
Both are promising stars and will be looking to make the most out of both formats. One would want to see a young spinner like Rahul Chahar get a go in the T20Is. Sharing the ball with Jadeja could help him massively in gaining confidence. He is someone who if nurtured can create a big mark.
Threats that loom in the limited-overs series
For the T20Is, West Indies recalled veteran stalwarts Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine. So these two will have a point to prove. On a given day, they can take the game away. The presence of T20 king Andre Russell in the T20Is will test India. We all know the match-winner he is in this format. He could attack a less experienced bowling line-up of India.
There are promising youngsters that did well in CWC 19 for Windies. Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer are quality assets in that middle order. Their free-flowing nature and ability to go long and strong could be a threat. Also, both have started to be more responsible. This is something that was a big positive for the Windies outfit.
Windies’ bowling options such as Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, and Keemo Paul will look to trouble India.