The change of format will give the West Indies more of a chance but India are no slouches at this form of the game either.
West Indies vs India | First T20I | Thursday 3 August 2023 | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba
West Indies | Draw | India
TBA*
While the West Indies didn’t make it to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India this year, this series will help them get ready for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with the United States in 2024.
The squad for this series has clearly been chosen with that tournament in mind and sees a couple of veterans recalled.
As the West Indies prepare; they will be looking to build a unit which they believe can do the job when they host the global showpiece in just under a year.
West Indies have recalled experienced wicket-keeper batter Shai Hope off the back of solid form in the ODI and also added fast bowler Oshane Thomas to their squad.
India get an early taste of conditions in the Caribbean which thus far haven’t been terribly impressive from the neutral point of view, although the tourists fired in the first match they played in Tarouba.
Young batting sensations Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma have earned maiden T20 call-ups for India and will be players to watch in this series.
Hardik Pandya takes over the reigns of the team but he still has experienced leaders all around him including former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Paceman Mukesh Kumar impressed in both the ODIs and Tests and gets another chance to press for an all-format place.
Verdict: India
India should have far too much firepower for the West Indies.
