India vs Windies: 3rd T20I Preview: Whitewash on cards as India look to experiment in the final game
The Chepauk will test the muscular power of all the hard-hitters in both sides as the boundaries are a little on the longer side here.
Despite some early scares in the ODI series, India managed to pull up their socks just in time and continued the golden run into the T20I series. With the Men in Blue riding high on confidence, perhaps this is the best time for them to travel Down Under and lock horns against the Aussies.
But before they think about that tour, they have one final job left to do in the south coast of India, Chennai. The hot and humid city will be hosting an India-Windies game for the first time since the 2011 World Cup group stage encounter, where a Yuvraj Singh hundred propelled the hosts to a 34-run win.
The Chepauk will test the muscular power of all the hard-hitters in both sides as the boundaries are a little on the longer side here. The only previous T20I that took place in this stadium saw New Zealand beat India by one run in an enthralling contest. The fans would be expecting something similar in this encounter.
Playing combinations
India
Maybe the top order has been rested way too much in recent times to earn another off-game. Hence, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will continue to open the innings with KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik comprising the middle order. Siddarth Kaul and Chahal might be coming in place of Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav and the rest of the bowling attack will remain same. All-rounder Krunal Pandya will remain in the spotlight.
Predicted XI
Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul
Windies
Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer have had a relatively poor outing after the first three ODIs. They will open together with Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Denesh Ramdin and Sherfane Rutherford in the middle order. Oshane Thomas and Keemo Paul will lead the bowling attack with Khary Pierre, Carlos Brathwaite and Fabian Allen.
Predicted XI
Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Carlos Brathwaite (C), Fabian Allen, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Oshane Thomas
Focus will be on
Siddarth Kaul (India)
The fast bowler from Punjab was especially roped into the side for this game and this is another great chance to prove himself. Siddarth Kaul has become a great exponent in T20Is, especially after his meteoric rise in the IPL with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. This game will not pose the toughest of challenges, but a good performance never goes unnoticed and he will be eager to get that.
Darren Bravo (Windies)
The southpaw’s batting style is like a carbon copy of the legendary Brian Lara, not precisely accurate but almost there. He can strike the ball a long distance and can also play a steady second-fiddle knock when needed. Darren Bravo is one of those cricketers in recent times who has under-achieved big time and will be desperate to put things on level terms.
Stat Attack
2 – This is the second T20I game being played at this venue and the 56th International game overall.
69 – Rohit Sharma needs 69 or more runs to become the all-time highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals.
Broadcast Details
TV – Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD
Live Streaming – Hotstar
Match Timings: 19:00 IST; 19:00 Local
Get the latest Cricket News and updates from India vs West Indies series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.
Download Our App