India has to win the second match against West Indies to level the series. Should Sanju Samson bat at number 3 in the second match?
In the five-match T20 series against West Indies, India lost the first match from a comfortable position. India will be looking to win the second match and level the series against West Indies. The Indian team will be looking to change the playing combination of the team as there is no batter after number seven.
The second T20 between India and West Indies will be played in Guyana, West Indies. The pitch might help the spinners of both teams. Indian team management will be looking to play Sanju Samson at number 3 as he can play left arm off spin and leg spin with balance and has a good record against spin.
At the start of the series, the team management and coach said that they don’t mind if they lose a match or two or a bilateral series because they are looking to test the team combinations for the upcoming ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup.Â
What are the concerns for Team India?
The first loss against the West Indies highlighted the weakness of Team India’s T20 Lineup. To start with openers, Ishan Kishan does not have a very good record in T20s as an opener, and Shubhman Gill is due for a big innings. Apart from his brilliant century against New Zealand, he hasn’t been much consistent as an opener should be in the T20 format.
At number 3, Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t looked good in the series. In ODIs, he doesn’t have a good record but in T20 he is amongst the best batters in India so he is expected to produce a ‘SKY’ innings. One more concerning thing for Team India is their finisher. They do not have a finisher to finish the innings.
Hardik Pandya who used to do the role of finisher has started playing an anchor role ever since he moved to Gujarat Titans. And Sanju Samson hasn’t been consistent with the chances he has been given throughout the series.
Team India’s lower order isn’t quite good as well. Axar Patel comes at number 7 and there is no batting after that. Kuldeep Yadav comes at number 8 followed by Yuzevendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, and Mukesh Kumar who can’t bat. So either the top order has to fire or the team combination must be changed for the rest of the series.
What is the expected playing eleven of India against the West Indies?
The squad for the second T20 match against West Indies is expected to be the same as the first match unless there’s a major change in the pitch or the inclusion of grass on the pitch that could help the seamers.
Batters Shubhman Gill and Ishan Kishan will open the innings. Selectors might give a chance to Yashasvi Jaiswal in place of Ishan Kishan. Sanju Samson might get a chance at number three for his spin-playing abilities. Followed by Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Verma.
Axar Patel is expected to bat at number 7 unless there is any shuffle in the batting lineup, followed by tailenders Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzevendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh. Pace bowler Umran Malik and spinner Ravi Bishnoi are unlikely to play as the team will not want to change their combination in just one match.
Team India must look to bat according to conditions and not throw their wickets with relentless hitting. They will be looking to build some partnerships to level the series.
