Predicting India’s strongest XI for the T20I series against West Indies

India and West Indies are set to take part in a three-match T20I series against the West Indies. India’s games are scheduled to take place on February 16, 18, and 20 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Men in Blue must be high on confidence after winning the ODIs 3-0. The Caribbean team has their task cut out to make a comeback on the tour.

Rohit Sharma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel

Here’s India’s strongest XI for West Indies T20Is

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rohit Sharma (C)

Rohit Sharma is one of the greatest openers to have plied their trade as an opener in T20Is. With four centuries under his belt, he can take the best of bowling attacks to the cleaners. He was in excellent form against New Zealand back in November and he’d want to carry his form. Ruturaj Gaikwad was exceptional in the IPL and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and should open the batting with Sharma.

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK)

Virat Kohli didn’t have the best of outings in the ODIs, having scored only 26 runs from three games. But with a 50 plus average in T20Is, he’s expected to come good. Suryakumar Yadav is still busy finding his feet at the highest level and he’ll want to make a mark in the series. Rishabh Pant is a free flowing batter and he can throw the kitchen sink at everything right from the word go.

All-rounders: Venkatesh Iyer, Washington Sundar

Venkatesh Iyer has also been a part of two bilateral series, but he’s yet to put in a substantial showing. Still being in the early days of his international career, Iyer is expected to come up the ranks. Washington Sundar made his debut four years ago and he has quite a bit of experience while donning India’s national colours.

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has looked a tad rusty in recent times and he needs to show a bit more consistency. Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar bring in a lot of utility in the bowling department. Not to forget that they can add handy runs in the lower order.

Yuzvendra Chahal isn’t down-and-out by any stretch of the imagination. After being left out of the T20 World Cup squad, the leg-spinner has stormed his way into India’s national team.