Wankhede to witness India, West Indies in battle of equals in series-finale

It’ll be a clash of the kings when the power-hitters of India and West Indies battle in the third T20 International in order to clinch the three-match series on Wednesday (December 11) in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

The hosts will have to address the inadequacies laid bare by the Windies in the series-leveling second game in Thiruvananthapuram where India failed to defend the 170-run target.

The focus will also be, once again on youngsters wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and off-spinner Washington Sundar who’ve gained the spotlight with their not-so-impressive performance. However, the case will not be any different when the team visits Wankhede.

Meanwhile, it’ll be interesting to see if Sundar will maintain his position in the team or will the management give Kuldeep Yadav a chance.

Sundar has taken only three wickets in the last five T20s that he has played (two against West Indies and three against Bangladesh) and leaked 144 runs in 23 overs that he bowled. He also ended up wicket-less in the two T20 Internationals against South Africa.

Sundar’s fielding is another aspect about which skipper Virat Kohli would be worried. In the last game, he dropped a sitter of Lendl Simmons, whose 45-ball 67 laidthe foundation of the West Indies’ eight-wicket triumph.

Also read: Simmons’ 67 helps West Indies level T20 series against India

Kuldeep last played a T20 against New Zealand in Hamilton back in February. He warmed the benches in the first two games.

For Pant also things are only getting tougher. The focus on him has been unrelenting and it won’t be easy for him to regain the early form that made him seem like Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s heir apparent.

Coming in at No.4, Pant made scores of 33 not out, 18, 6, 27, 19, 4 in the last seven T20s that he featured in. His last T20 fifty came against West Indies in August, in Providence. With the likes of Sanju Samson waiting in the wings, Pant will have to come good sooner than later.

But in overall analysis, India’s batting has never been a problem. Opener Rohit Sharma, who had a rare-twin failure, would be raring to go before his home crowd.

K L Rahul and skipper Kohli are also among the runs. Shivam Dube, who slammed his maiden T20 fifty, showed he can hit towering sixes and he would want to perform before his home crowd and so Shreyas Iyer.

However, bowling is a slight concern. A profligate pace duo of Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar leaked runs in the first two matches.

Chahar had a memorable series against Bangladesh but has not managed to repeat the show this time around. With Mohammed Shami around, Chahar will have to step up.

Also, India’s fielding was way below par. The dropped catches and several mis-fields prompted Kohli to say if the performance does not improve, no score would be enough. The hosts are also good chase-masters but will need to learn how to defend targets.

On the other hand, West Indies will also fancy their chances to clinch the series after the terrific comeback.

Also read: Kohli sparkles in India’s 6-wicket win against Windies

Their top-order batsmen, particularly Simmons, are in splendid form. Also the likes of Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetymar are among the runs and they will look to continue the form.

Add to it, the firepower of Brandon King, Jason Holder and skipper Kieron Pollard, the West Indies can look unbeatable on their day.

Even their bowlers, including pacer Sheldon Cottrell, are among the wickets. Along with Cottrell, Kesrick Williams, leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr and Holder, will have to bowl in the right areas to stem the flow of runs.

The West Indies also have fond memories of playing T20s at the Wankhede as in the 2016 ICC World Cup semi-final, they defeated India and went on to win the title.

Teams:

India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Sanju Samson.

West Indies: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Brandon King, Denesh Ramdin, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Khary Pierre, Lendl Simmons, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr, Keemo Paul, Kesrick Williams.

Match starts 7 pm IST.

(With inputs from agencies)