After a pulsating second game, the West Indies and India would be locking horns in the third T20I at the Warner Park Basseterre, St Kitts on Tuesday, August 2. After facing a humiliating 68-run defeat in the series opener, the hosts showed a great intent and bounced back by coming out on top in a final-over thriller.
With the series level at 1-1, both teams would be hoping to get one more win under their belt in order to take a series lead. The pressure would be on the Indian batters to stage a comeback after being outclassed by left-arm pacer Obed McCoy, who starred with figures of 6/17 from his four overs, including a maiden at an economy of 4.3.
Skipper Rohit Sharma had given him the responsibility to bowl the last over of the contest over an experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, the pressure got the better of him and Avesh was hit for six and four off consecutive deliveries as West Indies crossed the finish line with four balls to spare.
The pitch at this venue will be a little slow initially and will favour the spinners. The team chasing down the score will have greater chances of securing a victory in this fixture. A total of 150 will be a par score on this surface.
The weather will be clean and there are no chances of rain.
India would be looking to bring back Deepak Hooda in place of a misfiring Shreyas Iyer to bolster the middle order. Avesh Khan might get another chance with senior pacer Harshal Patel ruled out due to a rib injury. All eyes will be on the Men in Blue’s opening combination for this contest.
Possible Playing 11: 1.Rohit Sharma(C), 2.Suryakumar Yadav, 3.Shreyas Iyer, 4.Rishabh Pant(WK), 5.Hardik Pandya, 6.Dinesh Karthik(WK), 7.Ravindra Jadeja, 8.Ravichandran Ashwin, 9.Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10.Avesh Khan, 11.Arshdeep Singh
The West Indies would be looking forward to fielding the same XI that was instrumental in registering a series-leveling win. The likes of Brandon King and Obed McCoy will be eager to prove a point once again.
Possible Playing 11: 1.Brandon King, 2.Kyle Mayers, 3.Nicholas Pooran(WK)(C), 4.Shimron Hetmyer, 5.Devon Thomas(WK), 6.Rovman Powell, 7.Jason Holder, 8.Odean Smith, 9.Akeal Hosein, 10.Obed McCoy, 11.Alzarri Joseph
