5 Things to look forward to in the India v West Indies T20I series

Each time West Indies and India take each other on in the WI v Ind T20I series, it usually is perhaps one of the most entertaining sporting affairs in cricket. This time around, the Indians will take on the West Indies at a neutral venue in Florida to play a bevy of two T20Is. While this is viewed by many as a stunt that will boost cricketing growth in the United States, it is clear that this will be billed as somewhat of a T20 World Championship involving two of the best T20 sides in the world at the moment. 1. Playing in the United States A girl from a local carnival band performs at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages) The Indians will be playing a series for the first time in the United States of America. The last time the Indians were in North America to play a limited-overs’ series was against Pakistan in Canada in 1997 and 1998. The occasion was marked by the 50th year of independence for both countries. The first season was claimed by Pakistan and the second claimed by India. All matches were played at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Ground. However, political tensions and the 1999 Kargil war between the two sides saw the tournament scrapped with both sides not returning since. However, now, the Indians are back in the US and it will be interesting to see how they go about performing in alien conditions for the first time. Only four matches have been played at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill. Interestingly, New Zealand has featured in all of these T20 internationals, playing two against Sri Lanka and two against the West Indies. The Windies have won both the matches they have played at this venue. Moreover, records suggest that the team batting first has won three out of four times. Also check out – Fake WhatsApp Chat: Darren Sammy trolls WICB ahead of the 3rd Test 2. Return of the West Indies stars West Indies. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) A short while ago, former Indian all-rounder Abid Ali had stated that this gesture by both the BCCI and the WICB would go on to bolster the presence of cricket in the United States. However, as well as many a brand manager or an event promoter would know, the only way to sell an event to the public would certainly be to bring the best players from West Indies and India to the country to play a match. Although this is certainly no exhibition match, it is clear that some of the best cricketers in the world at the moment will be present to play in front of what is expected to be a sell-out crowd at Florida. The West Indies have bolstered their squad from the WI v IND Test series by adding Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, and Sunil Narine to the side. Moreover, the Indians are expected to fly in limited over’s skipper MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah to the side for the T20 series. The Indians would be hoping that Dhoni and Bumrah would make good use of their playing time with their next assignment only in 2017. 3. A much-needed gap in India’s Test schedule Indian Test cricket team captain Virat Kohli (L) is helped by teammate Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo by MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP/Getty Images) The schedule for the Indians team was 17 Test matches for the next year. One would not be blamed if he or she assumed that it would get too excessive. Having played 2 of those 15 matches, it remains to be seen if Kohli makes any changes to his side. Test cricket is a brutal sport, something that requires unwavering focus and amazing stamina, something that the modern-day cricketer clearly lacks. Moreover, this T20I series will prove to be somewhat of a refreshment to the blokes who would certainly have had their bodies weathered with excessive Test cricket. For the average cricket fan, this will prove to be a much-needed gap in the Test cricket season as the Indians and the West Indies will be hoping to claim the bragging rights as they square-off at a neutral venue. Also Watch: Virat Kohli doesn’t want to miss watching Usain Bolt in action 4. Anil Kumble and his T20 plans Indian cricket team head coach Anil Kumble. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) Anil Kumble was handed the reins of the coaching role on the basis that he had a plan for the Indian team across different formats. Thus far he has been actively involved with every member of the team and has also emphasised on team building activites. While it is evident that his format for the Test team is clearly working, especially with the Indians on the brink of reclaiming their top spot in the rankings, it remains to be seen what Kumble can do with the T20 unit. He will have limited overs specialists joining in and skipper MS Dhoni who himself is a force in the shorter formats. At the start of his career Dhoni had played under Kumble in the Test team and they do share a warm bond which should help them work better together. 5. The T20 championship of cricket MS Dhoni, Captain of India. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) As mentioned earlier, this has been billed as some sort of T20 championship between two supremely strong limited overs’ teams. The last time the Windies played in such a ‘championship’ was way back in 1975 when they toured Australia shortly after clinching the first ever Cricket World Cup. However, things went awry for skipper Clive Lloyd and his men as they were clearly intimidated by the pacers Thomson and Lillee. This time, however, under newly appointed skipper Carlos Brathwaite, the Windies are tipped to put up a fight against the mighty Indian team. West Indies team is the world champion of the shortest format and the Indians will remember how things panned out when the two team’s met last in a T20I. They will rather be charged to pull things back and register a win against the WT20 champs. Also read – Star India lands rights to telecast IND v WI T20 series

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5 Things to look forward to in the India v West Indies T20I series

4. Anil Kumble and his T20 plans

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