The first T20 match of the series between India and West produced 489 runs, which resulted in a thriller with MS Dhoni's team unfortunately losing the match. Now, India are in a serious need of a victory to level the two-match series as they face West Indies in the second and final T20 at Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, on Sunday.
Watch India vs West Indies second T20 live
India and West Indies played with their strongest teams in the first T20, and both teams may undergo some changes for the second match. India batsmen might have been brilliant while chasing 246 runs to win, but their bowlers should have bowled better to restrict West Indies to a lower total.
Most of the India bowlers were thrashed all around the park by the West Indies batsmen, and Stuart Binny had an off day with the ball, with poor bowling figures. Binny might have only bowled only one but Evin Lewis, who scored his maiden century, took him to the cleaners, hitting him for five sixes.
When a bowler is hit for so many runs in just one over, his morale will surely be down, and one would not be surprised if the all-rounder is replaced by Shikhar Dhawan. The left-hander was left out of the starting eleven, and he could replace Ajinkya Rahane as opener, who failed in the first T20. In other probability, Rahane may move down the order and Shikhar may feature as an opener, replacing Binny in the starting XI.
It remains to be seen what Dhoni and Anil Kumble will decide for the second T20. With fast bowlers being taken for plenty in the first T20, Amit Mishra also could get a look in for Mohammed Shami.
Rest of the playing eleven should not change for India. As for the West Indies, why would they like to break a winning combination? It all depends on the fitness of Chris Gayle, who missed the first match due to an injury. Irrespective of whether the hard-hitting batsman makes a comeback or not, his replacement, Lewis' position is sealed after the magnificent knock, which helped West Indies score 245 runs.
As a result of which, Lendl Simmons might have to give way for Gayle if the left-hander is fully fit for the match. One does not see any other replacements for West Indies in the second T20, but it remains to be seen who will open for the Caribbean team. With Johnson Charles and Lewis having shown amazing form, one of them might have to come one down to allow Gayle his normal opening slot.
Though Sunil Narine might have conceded lot of runs (50 runs from 3 overs), the spinner should hold his place in the side like the rest of the bowlers, who were also taken to the cleaners by KL Rahul, primarily.
Confirmed playing XI: India: RG Sharma, A Rahane, V Kohli, L Rahul, MS Dhoni (c, wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, A Mishra, B Kumar, M Shami, J Bumrah
West Indies: J Charles, E Lewis, M Samuels, L Simmons, A Fletcher (wk), K Pollard, A Russell, DJ Bravo, C Brathwaite (c)S Narine, S Badree
