India vs West Indies 1st T20I Predictions - Sharma to power India back to winning ways
India and West Indies face off in an eagerly awaited T20I series, with India entering as favorites thanks to strong home form and standout performances from Abhishek Sharma and Axar Patel. While West Indies showed batting potential in recent matches and key contributions from players like John Campbell and Alzarri Joseph, their bowling needs to step up against a powerful Indian lineup. The key recommendation: expect India to capitalize on home advantage unless the West Indies bowlers deliver a major turnaround.
- India have won their last six completed T20Is.
- The West Indies have lost three of their last five T20Is.
- Teams chasing have won eight of the last 10 matches at Ekana.
Abhishek Sharma has scores of 39, 108 & 61 in 5 innings (Getty Images).
India vs West Indies Predictions
India have never lost a T20I at the Ekana and they have a powerful and in-form squad. The West Indies have been batting well in white-ball cricket so we could be in for a thrilling clash to open the series.
- India’s Abhishek Sharma has scored 39, 108 & 61 in his last 5 knocks.
- India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has hit 18 sixes in 8 T20I innings.
- India’s Axar Patel has figures of 2/9, 2/8 & 2/29 in 4 matches.
- India have won 9 of their last 10 home games against the West Indies,
- West Indies’ Shai Hope has scored 40, 104 & 162* in his last 4 matches.
- West Indies’ John Campbell has scores of 62 & 101 in his last 3 innings.
- West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph has taken 62 wickets in 44 T20I innings.
Head-to-Head
India have won three and lost one of their last four T20Is against the West Indies.
India Form
India arrive in strong form after winning Asian Games gold and completing a 3-0 series victory over Afghanistan. That represents an impressive response after earlier series defeats to Ireland and England, although their bowling attack will be tested without Jasprit Bumrah.
Abhishek Sharma is in exceptional touch, scoring 1,077 runs in the last 12 months at a strike rate of 194.40. He and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provide explosive options at the top, while Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer add considerable middle-order quality.
Arshdeep Singh will carry extra responsibility with the ball after taking 39 wickets in the last 12 months. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav could also be important against a West Indies side that has struggled against spin.
West Indies Form
West Indies come into the T20I series with renewed confidence after producing a record chase in the final ODI. Shai Hope will be expected to lead from the front again, although the visitors face a difficult challenge given their poor record on Indian soil.
Shimron Hetmyer has been one of their key T20 performers, scoring 566 runs in the last 12 months at a strike rate of 180.83. He provides major middle-order firepower alongside Rovman Powell and Roston Chase, while Sherfane Rutherford offers finishing ability.
The greater concern is the bowling, which struggled during the ODI series. Shamar Joseph has taken 22 wickets in the last 12 months while Alzarri Joseph and Matthew Forde need to make early breakthroughs against India’s dangerous top order.
Team News
India start as favourites, with both teams bringing strong batting firepower to the clash. Lucknow has favoured chasing sides but the spinners should play a key role through the middle overs. The West Indies must improve significantly with the ball to seriously put pressure on this powerful Indian lineup.
India (possible XI): Shreyas Iyer (c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav.
West Indies (possible XI): Shai Hope (c), John Campbell, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Jewel Andrew, Gudakesh Moite, Alzarri Joseph.
Verdict
India’s home form have them as huge favourites to take the win. Abhishek Sharma and Axar Patel have been in great form for India, while Shai Hope has been scoring heavily with Alzarri Joseph backed to star with the ball.
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