The Test series might have turned out to be a little one-sided, but when India and West Indies lock horns in two matches in Florida, expect it to be a lot closer. West Indies will go into this Twenty20 series in the USA as the world champions, while India will bank on their wonderful batting power and bowling nous to negate the liked of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite.
However you look at it, this series, to be played on consecutive days at the weekend, promises to be an exciting one.
Get the squads of the two teams HERE
West Indies are a team tailor-made for T20 cricket, and with all of their senior, high-profile players returning to the squad, they will have no issue matching India six for six, wicket for wicket.
As popular as the West Indies are, though, most of the crowd in Florida are likely to support the team in blue, with a large Indian diaspora expected to come out in droves to support their team.
This series, however, goes beyond just smash-bang, let's-hit-a-few-sixes-and-get-a-win, it is also about growing the game beyond the established borders.
The USA, expectedly, is a big potential market for cricket, and what better way to bring the game to the country than with two exciting teams playing each other in the most entertaining format.
In a country where baseball, basketball, American football and ice hockey are still the kings, cricket has a long way to go to find some find some kind of foothold in the country, but playing a high-profile T20 series, albeit one of only two games, is as good a start as any.
When Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne brought the Cricket All-Stars to the US, it was well received, and that is despite it being a tournament for retired cricketers.
This one is about the here and now –the Gayles, the Dhonis and the Kohlis – and if the Indian and West Indian fans can bring a few of their American friends into the game, it could go a long way in popularising the sport in the USA.
Apart from the marketing aspect, though, this series will be important for both teams. For India to gain a measure of revenge against the side that ended their dreams of winning the World T20 title on home turf; for West Indies to show why they are the T20 kings, while bouncing back from the Test series defeat.
Both teams have named strong squads, and one thing is certain – over the two days, entertainment is guaranteed.
USA T20 series schedule: India vs West Indies.
1st T20: Date: Saturday, August 27.
Time: 10 a.m. local time (7.30 p.m. IST, 3 p.m. BST).
Venue: Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.
2nd T20: Date: Sunday, August 28.
Time: 10 a.m. local time (7.30 p.m. IST, 3 p.m. BST).
Venue: Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.
TV listings: India: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD1 and Star Sports HD3. USA, Canada and the Caribbean: Yupp TV.
