India vs West Indies – 1st T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is India vs West Indies taking place? Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 – 13:30 (UK)
Where is India vs West Indies taking place? Eden Gardens, Kolkata
What is the expected weather for India vs West Indies? 19-21c with clear skies and light winds
What channel is India vs West Indies on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404)
Where can I stream India vs West Indies? The match can be streamed live the SkyGo app
LAST MEETING
India beat West Indies by 67 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
INDIA
- After comfortably winning the three-match ODI series between these two nations, India will now be aiming to repeat the dose in this three-match T20i series, their first at home since beating New Zealand 3-0 last November.
- Both opening batter KL Rahul and spin-bowler Axar Patel will miss this match and the entire series due to injury, with the two having been replaced by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Hooda.
- A hamstring injury suffered in the third ODI between the two nations has also ruled all-rounder Washington Sundar out of contention for this series, offering an opportunity to left-arm wrist-spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav.
WEST INDIES
- West Indies disappointed in last year’s T20 World Cup, but they are a team in transition and positive signs were certainly shown in their recent 3-2 T20i series win at home to England.
- Whilst the bowling remains of a decent standard, the top order batting hugely let West Indies down in the ODI series and will need to be rectified if they are to have any chance of beating India in both this game and the T20i series as a whole.
- Opener Evin Lewis will once again not feature through injury, although captain Kieron Pollard is expected to be passed fit and his presence would be a significant boost for the tourists.
THE PREDICTION
Although India won’t be at full-strength here with KL Rahul injured and Jasprit Bumrah rested, the strength-in-depth at Rohit Sharma’s disposal makes them clear favourites in this first T20i. Rohit himself will have a key part to play with the bat in the absence of opening partner Rahul, but the hosts contain plenty of quality within their middle order, combined with a well-balanced bowling attack. West Indies’ inconsistency makes them a difficult team to predict, but their batting arsenal contains plenty of big-hitters such as Nicholas Pooran and Pollard alongside all-rounder Romario Shepherd. Despite that, India’s greater experience and quality in subcontinent conditions makes them well worth backing for victory in this contest.
