Windies vs India: Virat Kohli hints at possible changes in the playing XI for 3rd T20I

On a slow pitch in the second T20I of the ongoing series, the Indian batters posted an impressive score of 167/5 in 20 overs. Captain Virat Kohli was all praise for all-rounders Krunal Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja for providing a strong finish with the bat.

The 30-year-old Indian skipper also hinted at possible changes to the playing XI for the ‘dead-rubber’ third T20I. The duo plundered the Windies attack by fetching 26 runs in the final two overs. Krunal Pandya was the wrecker-in-chief with both willow and ball.

“Winning is always going to be a priority. But sealing the series gives the chance to bring few guys in. The idea is always going to be to win first. But winning the first two games gives the cushion,” Kohli said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

New names in the fray as Kohli hints at changes

It would be interesting to see if India persists with under-fire Rishabh Pant. The 21-year-old failed in both the games, with scores of 0 and 4 against his name. The likes of Shreyas Iyer and spinner Rahul Chahar are in the fray for the final game.

Krunal was a stand-out performer with the ball. The spinner bagged two wickets and conceded mere 23 runs. The men in blue restricted West Indies to 98/4 in 15.3 overs- winning the game by 22 runs (D/L method) after rain halted play mid-way. Another tweaker Washington Sundar found his groove as he bowled a maiden over to opener Sunil Narine.

Sundar’s impressive spell

Sundar made a return to the national side after being out in the cold with an ankle injury. The spinner bowled his three overs conceding just 12 runs and picked a wicket. Kohli lauded the spinner’s efforts with the white-ball

“Starting with the new ball, the way Sundar has bowled against guys who come hard at the ball, he’s done a tremendous job,” the Indian skipper said. “The composure he’s shown has been outstanding. He’s become fitter, leaner and is very handy with the bat as well. He is definitely going to be a factor for us.” the skipper opined.

The sides will travel from Florida to Guyana for the 3rd T20I. Kohli said that it would be a great experience to see how things pan out in Guyana- a venue quite alien to the Indian team.

Watch: 5 Fielders who saved most runs in the 2019 World Cup

~ Written by Sayantan Bhattacharjee