India were completely dominant in the opening match of the series. I expect that to continue with the West Indies bowlers proving impotent against the strong Indian batting lineup.
Key Stats - Iyer Top Form
- India’s Shreyas Iyer hit 102* off 43 balls in the 1st T20I against the West Indies.
- India’s Shreyas Iyer hit six sixes in his 102* in the 1st T20I.
- India’s Ishan Kishan has scores of 80*, 20 & 37* in his last 3 innings.
- India’s Kuldeep Yadav has taken 9 wickets in 4 innings.
- West Indies’ Shai Hope has scored 104, 162* & 52 in his last 3 matches.
- West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford has scores of 24 & 56 in his last 2 innings.
- West Indies’ Roston Chase has taken 5 wickets in his last 4 matches.
India Hold Good Lead
India lead 4-1 in their last five T20I matches against the West Indies.
India Sublime in the Opener
India take a 1-0 lead into the second T20I after cruising to an eight-wicket victory in Lucknow. Chasing 172 they reached their target off just 14.4 overs to extend their unbeaten T20I run to 10 matches.
Captain Shreyas Iyer was sensational in smashing an unbeaten 102 from only 43 balls, an innings which included 10 fours and six sixes. His unbroken 137-run stand with Ishan Kishan, who made 37 not out, completely changed the game after the loss of two early wickets.
India also impressed with the ball, with debutant Naman Dhir claiming 3/31, while Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav each picked up two wickets. India head into the second match in excellent shape with their batting confidence high and the attack producing wickets throughout.
West Indies Bowlers Struggling
West Indies posted a competitive 171 in the opening T20I but were ultimately overpowered by India’s batting strength. Shai Hope scored 52 from 37 balls and Sherfane Rutherford added 56 from 34, giving the visitors a solid platform.
The problem came later in the innings, with the middle and lower order losing wickets in clusters against India’s spinners. Akeal Hosein provided some resistance, but the West Indies were unable to push their total high enough to challenge their hosts.
Their biggest concern remains the bowling. Hosein and Roston Chase took one wicket each but the attack struggled badly once Shreyas Iyer had settled at the crease. Matthew Forde conceded 39 runs in only two overs which highlighted the need for a much tighter performance in the second match.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Ranchi should offer mostly clear, dry conditions and the slower surface suits spinners as the game progresses, while the pacemen may find early movement. Chasing on this pitch has proven lucrative as the teams batting second have won three of the last four T20Is at Ranchi.
India (possible XI): Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (c), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dubey, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav.
West Indies (possible XI): Shai Hope (c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph.