Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed would be the front-runner to replace Bumrah in the line up, though also back in the mix is Deepak Chahar while Navdeep Saini is in line for a probable international debut after impressing with the A side last month. Uncapped legspinner Rahul Chahar completes India’s bowling line-up.
Never to be underestimated in the T20 format, West Indies have got a significant power boost with veteran all-rounders Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine being recalled for the series. Both, in fact, have runs under their belt courtesy their brief stint in the Global T20 League in Canada.
Andre Russell though has marked himself unavailable due his ongoing knee issue, taking some sheen off the T20 contests. Nonetheless, his absence is offset by some of the most exciting up and coming T20 stars in the home team’s line-up – Shimron Hetmyer, Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell. The squad promises a fine mix of youth and experience, and also a healthy dose of entertainment.
When: 1st T20I on August 3 at 8PM IST | 2:30 PM GMT
Where: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida
What to expect: Scattered thunderstorms are on the cards in Miami, with a forecast of 65 per cent chance of rain ruining the cricket weekend in the city. If the games do happen, the captains might be tempted to field first and chase.
Team News
West Indies:The hosts suffered an injury setback on the eve of the series opener with Andre Russell ruling himself out due to his ongoing knee trouble. The all-rounder went for a surgery after being ruled out of the World Cup, but is believed to have experienced some discomfort during his one-game comeback appearance at the Global T20 League and conveyed the WI selectors about his inability to partake in the T20Is. Jason Mohammed, the middle order batsman, is his replacement.
Squad:Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, John Campbell, Kieron Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite (C), Keemo Paul, Jason Mohammed, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Anthony Bramble, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas
India:With a fully fit squad to pick from, India have a problem of plenty for filling more than a couple of spots. Given the small dimensions of the ground, Krunal Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, and to a lesser extent, Washington Sundar and Rahul Chahar, would be fighting for the lone spinner’s spot in the eleven. And with a full-strength batting unit on tour, only one between Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey can make the cut at No. 5 as rest of the top-six pick themselves.
Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, Rahul Chahar, Deepak Chahar
Did you know?
– Evin Lewis has scored two 100s against India in the three T20Is he played against them.
– Sunil Narine has dismissed Rohit Sharma seven times in T20 cricket with a dismissal every 19 balls.
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