BackLast Updated on 50 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
The high-scoring T20I series between India and West Indies moves to Hyderabad, where the visitors are now in must-win territory. Shai Hope’s team would have fancied their chances of chasing 224 in Indore on Sunday, but his early dismissal, plus the absence of dew, saw India prevail.
India’s deep batting lineup came to the fore last time out. At the halfway mark, a 250+ score seemed likely before a string of wickets threatened to derail the innings. Such is the nature of modern batting that 223 looked about par, and that was thanks to the lower order scoring vital runs and stretching the innings to the 20-over mark.
Earlier in the evening, Abhishek Sharma became the quickest to 2,000 T20I runs in terms of balls faced as he threatened to completely take the game away from the West Indies. However, his 30-ball 69 still put India in a strong position, and if the hosts get another solid platform, the middle order will be aiming to better build on it this time around.
For the West Indies, there were still positives despite the defeat. The way they came back after the powerplay in Indore was promising, and they have enough power in their lineup to cause the Indian attack problems. However, whether they rely too much on Shai Hope remains to be seen.
India could stick with the same XI, unless they decide to bring Kuldeep Yadav back.
India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Sanju Samson (wk), 3. Ishan Kishan, 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Naman Dhir, 7. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Prince Yadav, 10. Mayank Yadav, 11. Arshdeep Singh
Romario Shepherd missed the third T20I due to injury. He may return in this match, but there is no official confirmation as yet.
West Indies: 1. Shai Hope (c & wk), 2. Kamil Pooran, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Rovman Powell, 5. Sherfane Rutherford, 6. Romario Shepherd/Quentin Sampson, 7. Roston Chase, 8. Shamar Springer, 9. Keemo Paul, 10. Shamar Joseph, 11. Gudakesh Motie/Akeal Hosein
Watch out, bowlers. Hyderabad is one of the friendliest batting wickets in world cricket, with scores of 310, 297, 286 and 277 in the last two years. The 297 was by India against Bangladesh in 2024, where Sanju Samson smashed 111 off 47 balls.
Expect another excellent batting track with the potential for dew on what should be a warm and mostly clear night. Chasing will be preferred, but there is the possibility of a 250+ total batting first.
Top wicket-keeper picks:
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Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
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Option 2: