Virat Kohli may open the batting in the T20I game against Windies

After trouncing a toothless West Indies 3-1 in the five One Day Internationals, India will now play them in a solitary t20 as per schedule on Sunday, July 9 at Kingston’s Sabina Park. T20 specialist Chris Gayle is all set to make a return to international cricket with this game, after last playing a t20 international in the world cup t20 2016 at the Eden Gardens. After that, injuries and poor form kept him out of the game.

Although West Indies are poorly ranked on the ODI rankings, they can put up a good show in t20s, a format they once ruled for quite some time. And thus they cannot be written off for this game. While the Windies may feel pumped up with the inclusion of Gayle, India too are tactfully devising strategies to counter the hosts.

As per latest news on Xtratime.in, it has been learnt that Virat Kohli will promote himself up the order and open the batting tomorrow. There can be two main reasons for this move by Kohli. While Ajinkya Rahane showed great promise in the ODI series, his T20 credentials largely remain untested.

The other opener Shikhar Dhawan, who was very impressive in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2017, in which he also emerged as the highest run-getter, was not able to replicate his performances in the ODI series. With both openers highly doubted for the job, someone needs to step up. Also, if Kohli opens the innings, someone like Rishabh Pant can be accommodated in the middle overs.

Sri Lanka tour later this month 

Captain Kohli will be eager to return home with yet another win, and all of it without a head coach by the team’s side. India will tour Sri Lanka later this month and by then, a new coach will be appointed by the BCCI, CoA and CAC together.