WI vs IND: History awaits India in first T20I, set to make their 200th appearance in shortest format

After the completion of the Test and ODI series, the focus will now shift to the five-match T20I series on India’s tour of West Indies. The two teams will lock horns in the first T20I beginning on Thursday, August 03 at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad. Notably, it will be a historic game for the Men in Blue as they will be playing their 200^th T20I having played their first game way back in 2006.

India have played 199 T20I matches so far winning 127 out of those and also have one T20 World Cup to their name. They’re the second most successful team in the format (in terms of matches won) and are only behind arch-rivals Pakistan who have won 134 matches out of 223 played. India will become only the second team to play 200 T20Is as they take field against West Indies in the first T20I.

The Asian giants made their T20I debut led by Virender Sehwag on December 1, 2006 against South Africa in Johannesburg and won the match by six wickets. Led by MS Dhoni, India straight away headed into the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 having played just one game of the new format.

The young team left everyone surprised as they managed to clinch the trophy by beating Pakistan in the final etching their name in the history as the first-ever World Champions of the T20 format.

Hardik Pandya to continue leadership duties in T20Is

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya will be leading another young Indian team in the T20I series vs WI. Several star performers from the IPL 2023 have got their maiden T20I call-up up such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma. Seamer Mukesh Kumar who recently made his Test debut has also been included in the team. 

They will be eager to leave their mark across five games and get in contention for the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to take place in the USA and West Indies.

On the other hand, West Indies will also look to give a tough fightback in the format they love to play the most after getting beaten in the ODIs and Tests.