India, West Indies look for upper-hand in 3rd T20I
In Short
As many as 501 runs were scored in the second T20I in Ranchi with the West Indies scaling down India’s massive 250-run target with more than an over to spare, prompting head coach Gautam Gambhir to throw the spotlight on the plight of bowlers for a second time in the fortnight.
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India, West Indies look for upper-hand in 3rd T20I
Indore: Another bat versus bat contest is likely to exert further pressure on the bowlers who have taken enough battering already, when India and West Indies face off in the third T20 International at the Holkar Stadium’s batting haven here on Sunday.
As many as 501 runs were scored in the second T20I in Ranchi with the West Indies scaling down India’s massive 250-run target with more than an over to spare, prompting head coach Gautam Gambhir to throw the spotlight on the plight of bowlers for a second time in the fortnight.
Indore’s flat decks and short boundaries are unlikely to offer bowlers much respite, making execution in all departments crucial. Dropped catches and missed opportunities could prove decisive, as India’s Mayank Yadav spilled a catch of Sherfane Rutherford, who went on to score 84 off 37 balls and share a 120-run stand with skipper Shai Hope.
Hope, who has scored two centuries on this tour, remains a major threat for India. The hosts will also be looking for improvement from Arshdeep Singh, who has conceded 79 runs across two matches for just one wicket. Mayank, meanwhile, has impressed with his express pace and three wickets.
India have drawn encouragement from Shreyas Iyer’s return to form, with an unbeaten 102 and an 18-ball 40, while Sanju Samson’s 82 off 41 balls has strengthened his case in the batting order.
Coach Gambhir has indicated that India will continue experimenting with combinations, though the team will hope to tighten its bowling and fielding.
For West Indies, Rutherford’s successive half-centuries and Roston Chase’s 3/24 have been positives. Shamar Springer’s expensive spell, however, could prompt a change as the visitors look to take control of the series.
