West Indies are due to host India in a five-match T20I series starting on August 3rd. The two teams will meet for the first T20I at the same venue of the final ODI that is Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Thursday. We bring you the WI vs IND 1st T20I prediction for the series opener but before that, do check the head to head record between these two teams in T20 cricket.
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WI vs IND 1st T20I match preview
West Indies
West Indies, who failed to qualify for the main rounds of the previous T20 World Cup and this year's ODI World Cup, have a lot to ponder. They have set their sights on next year's T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in the Caribbean and the USA.
Since the previous T20 WC, they have played only one T20 series which came on a tour of South Africa. They edged past the hosts in the opening game by three wickets before losing the second match by six wickets. The series decider saw them hold on to a 7-run win after posting 220 runs on the board.
Let's take a look at the possible playing XI In this WI vs IND prediction for the first T20I. Nicholas Pooran, Akeal Hosein and Jason Holder, who missed the ODI series, are back for this leg. Shai Hope has also been included in the side along with Shimron Hetmyer. Being the only off-spinner in the squad, Roston Chase could get a game.
Ready for the Kuhl Stylish Fans T20I Series powered by Black and White series!💥#WIvIND #WIHome #RallywithWI pic.twitter.com/EQbpFbxNtR
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 2, 2023
WI Possible 11: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell (c), Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph
India
India haven't played T20 internationals since January when they played two series in the month against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. They won the first game versus the Lankan lions but lost the next one. They hammered Sri Lanka in the third game by 91 runs on the back of Suryakumar Yadav's hundred to seal the series.
India lost the opening match against New Zealand by 21 runs but bounced back to claim the next by six wickets on the penultimate ball. Shubman Gill smashed a sensational 126* off 63 in the final T20I as the hosts came out on top by 168 runs.
Talking about India's playing XI in this WI vs IND prediction, they have a second-string side to choose from with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja rested. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma should get chances with Axar Patel set to be their key all-rounder.
All ears when the 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱 speaks 🗣️
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 2, 2023
𝘿𝙊 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙈𝙄𝙎𝙎 – @BrianLara in conversation with @ShubmanGill & @ishankishan51 at the Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad👌👌 – By @ameyatilak
Full Conversation – https://t.co/xWbvEz9kjU #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/AOLgonqyGE
IND Possible 11: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik
WI vs IND 1st T20I: Pitch report and expected weather conditions
Brian Lara Stadium has hosted only one men's T20I. In domestic cricket, there have been 34 matches played at the venue with the average batting first score of 141. As the number suggests, the pitches here aren't generally batting friendly.
The weather forecast in Tarouba looks good enough for this game. It should be partly sunny with only a 25% chance of precipitation predicted for the day.
WI vs IND 1st T20I Dream11 prediction
Our WI vs IND Dream11 predictions for this match
Here in this WI vs IND Dream11 prediction, we will discuss why we have gone with this fantasy XI for the first game. Ishan Kishan scored three consecutive fifties in the ODI series while Nicholas Pooran is in red hot form. Suryakumar Yadav is one of the best T20 batters in the world so we will not be leaving him out.
We have picked Shai Hope, who hasn't been a proven T20 player but has shown signs of improvement in recent times with his strike rate. He's also picked by only 21% of the fantasy owners so could be a good differential. Shubman Gill finally found some form on the tour as he struck 85 in the final ODI. He's one of the captaincy candidates for this game. Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to get a chance and if he does, you should pick him. He was exceptional in the Test series and should do well.
From the all-rounders category, we have Axar Patel and Kyle Mayers. Axar didn't get to do much in the ODI series but will be key here with no Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik's bowling fitness unclear. Kyle Mayers opens the batting and can take the game away quickly.
Akeal Hosein and Romario Shepherd are placed in the bowlers' category but both have the ability to bat down the order. So pick them for their all-round value. Kuldeep Yadav did well in the fifty-over series and if he's in the playing XI, he will be a must pick in your fantasy team.
Coming to the two captaincy picks, we have several options such as Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Nicholas Pooran. We are going with the latter two. as captain. Ishan hammered 184 runs in three ODIs at a strike rate of 111 with three fifties. Pooran recently smashed 388 runs in the MLC, including 137* off 55 in the final.
WI vs IND 1st T20I match prediction: India to win
India have a superior side on paper with some high quality batters and a good spin bowling attack. West Indies have some destructive batters in the line-up but can be vulnerable. The head to head record is also in favour of India with eight wins in the previous 10 encounters. Our WI vs IND match prediction is for India to win.
WI vs IND toss prediction: West Indies to win the toss and bowl first
Brian Lara Stadium has hosted one men's T20I and 34 domestic T20s. The records do not show any bias, with the team batting first and second winning 17 and 18 matches, respectively. In the ODI leg, the team winning the toss fielded first in all three games. Our WI vs IND toss prediction for the first T20I is that West Indies will win the toss and bowl first.
Man of the match prediction: Ishan Kishan to win
Our WI vs IND prediction for the man of the match is for Ishan Kishan to win. The Indian opener has been in superb form on this tour, scoring four international fifties in a row. In the ODI series, he struck 188 runs and has pretty good numbers in the shorter format. Expect him to make a good impact in this match.
WI vs IND betting odds
The WI vs IND betting odds show us that India are heavy favourites heading into the first T20I. They have the odds of 1.33 odds to win this game whereas West Indies have a huge ask with 3.33 odds.
