A win at the Eden Gardens on Friday will give India the T20I series. A defeat will make Sunday’s clash the decider. And yet, irrespective of the result and Rohit Sharma’s wishes, the spotlight will be on Virat Kohli for the second T20I. The buzz around the hundred will probably have to wait until the Sri Lanka Test matches, but the worrisome dry phase by his standards has set alight the chatters.
Are the numbers worrying enough? In the last 10 T20I innings, Kohli averages 67, striking at over 134. A victim of falling short of the self-set colossal standards, the problems have been compounded by India’s inconsistent middle order that once found shade under Kohli’s massive shadow.
Rohit’s hurricane start, Suryakumar Yadav’s fluency and a wet ball dented the West Indies’ hopes in the first T20I. A flurry of wickets and brakes in the scoring pulled back the hosts until Suryakumar and Venkatesh Iyer stabilised the chase.
ALSO READ: Reverse Scoop - The challenge of the ten-team IPL
The toss will again play a critical role in Kolkata as the winter approaches its end. The wet conditions at night reduce the ball to a soap. The surface eases out due to the dew, and the ball comes on to the bat nicely. With two wrist spinners, bowling second can be a struggle in these conditions. Earlier in the evening, on the other hand, ball grips on the surface, making hitting through the line difficult.
With the next T20 World Cup in sight, India’s focus will be on setting their batting in order. West Indies will focus more on clarity in decision-making. With a line-up comprising explosive batters, they need to figure out when to accelerate, and with what mindset they should approach the Indian spinners.
Likely XIs
India will want to retain their winning combination. Deepak Chahar was struck on his bowling hand while fielding in the last match. If he is unfit, Shardul Thakur may get a game. After Ravi Bishnoi’s success in the first match, this can also be a good opportunity to hand Avesh Khan his debut. More of a hit-the-deck kind and clocks good speeds, Avesh will add variety to the attack, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and part-timer Venkatesh.
The wait to break in for Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Shreyas Iyer can be longer.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal.
A fit Jason Holder will bolster West Indies. He was the key to West Indies’ win over England last month, and his experience could have helped them seal the first game as well. Considering they have a left-arm spinner in Fabien Allen, and that Chase was their best bowler in the previous game, one of Akeal Hosein or Romario Shepherd may have to bear the axe.
West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Fabien Allen, Romario Shepherd, Sheldon Cottrell.
ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer named new captain of Kolkata Knight Riders
Fantasy tips
- India’s wrist spinners caught West Indies in a web. Pick both Bishnoi and Chahal.
- Once again, Rohit set Eden alight. With a big score around the corner, pick Rohit as your skipper.
- All-rounders are always a safe bet. Rely on Holder’s consistency. Venkatesh, too, looked good in the last game.
Fantasy XI
Rohit Sharma (c), Kyle Mayers, Virat Kohli, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Jason Holder (vc), Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel.