There’s never a bad time to play T20s. Even though every move is seen through the lens of the mega ODI World Cup in October, there’s always enough context for a five-match T20I series. An Asian Games Gold is calling ..

The Men in Blue enter the series with some staggering stats: top-ranked T20 team, a solid head-to-head record (17 wins in 25 games), eight bilateral series wins since June 26, 2022, and unbeaten in T20I bilaterals against Windies since 2017.

On the other hand, West Indies have won just three of their last 10 outings in 20-overs cricket. However, one can expect the Men in Maroon to show their grit and, perhaps, something unpredictable against India. After all, this is their best format, and they would be desperate to get their act right ahead of the home T20 World Cup next year.

What that also means, is this bilateral series will be a testing ground for India to study conditions and player strengths. Remember, MI New York’s winning skipper, and the man of the moment with that stunning 55-ball 137 just a couple of nights ago, is set to return. Also one of our very own, SKY, is all set to take over as the second in command, the vice-captain!

What: West Indies vs India, five-match T20I series

When and where:
1st T20I - August 3 - Brian Lara Stadium Tarouba

2nd T20I - August 6 - Providence Stadium, Guyana

3rd T20I - August 8 - Providence Stadium, Guyana

4th T20I - August 12 - Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida

5th T20I - August 13 - Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida

What to expect: Trinidad gave us a taste of its short boundaries and the topical bounce, and one can fancy the same in the first game. While Guyana has a particular unpredictability factor, the batters will enjoy the conditions offered at Lauderhill. What’s more? One of our fa-MI-ly members will be making his international debut.

What you need to do: Carry the same support and love all through the tour into the T20I series. But, take it up a notch this time, shall we, Paltan?

West Indies vs India: Numbers Talk

Squads

India: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Suryakumar Yadav (Vice Captain), Ishan Kishan (Wicket-keeper), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (Wicket-keeper), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar

West Indies: Rovman Powell (Captain), Kyle Mayers (Vice Captain), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer (Wicket-keeper), Jason Holder, Shai Hope (Wicket-keeper), Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran (Wicket-keeper), Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas