Daijiworld Media Network
Florida, Aug 28 : With the first game now done and dusted India will be hoping for a win on Sunday (August 28) to square the series. Spurred on by a massive and bellicose Indian contingent they almost chased down 246. On another day MS Dhoni would have succeeded in evading Marlon Samuels at short third man and they would have completed the two runs required for victory. Some days luck smiles at you. Some days it does not.
India have won the toss and have opted to field
MS: 'You take positives from the last few games we played and continue doing the good work we have done.'
Teams:
West Indies (Playing XI): Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher(w), Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Carlos Brathwaite(c), Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Indian players are seen limbering up. A few football kicks followed by hustle and bustle...
both teams have a fair chance of 'CTRL C CTRL V'-ing similar show today. West Indies need a win to claim the series whilst India too need to win, but to level the series. More about the team selections and toss up in a short while.
I know a few of you would be wanting to know the details of the weather, which didn't look promising a day ago. 'Sun up right now,' pings me Anudeep Naidu, a friend of mine who is at the ground. So, with that bright news, this is Raju Peethala (sitting upright) welcoming you for more of KL Rahul's brilliance and Bravo's bravado.
Match Preview
With Sunday's game likely to be another run-fest, India will be hoping that the important breaks will go their way, else they run the risk of losing their second spot in the Twenty20 International rankings. With a 2-0 win, the world champions can push India to the third spot and stay just below New Zealand.
Though Dwayne Bravo's sensational last over was largely responsible for the West Indies' win, bowlers from both sides seemed incapable of curbing the run-flow. Indeed, of all the bowlers used, only Ravichandran Ashwin for India and Bravo for the West Indies, managed to keep their economy rate below 10 runs per over. Both went for at least nine.
The usually stingy Sunil Narine went for 16.66 and Samuel Badree, the highest-ranked bowler in T20Is was trusted with only two overs. Jasprit Bumrah conceded 47 from his four overs, and Stuart Binny had to be banished after allowing 32 from his single over.
Batsmen ruled supreme in the first game and now, the crowd will be hoping for more of the same on Sunday. Rain from the tropical disturbance could disrupt the contest. The fans will be eager for it to stay away.
When: India vs West Indies, 2nd T20I - 7:30 PM IST (10:00 AM Local)
Where: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida
What to expect: There is a high chance of thunderstorms in the forecast again, beginning around 8 AM and lasting, more or less, the entire day. But there was rain forecasted for the first day too, and yet no time was lost.
As they did in the first game, batsmen should enjoy the conditions here again. Another high-scoring encounter should be expected.
Team News:
India: Dhoni might consider bringing in Shikhar Dhawan in place of Ajinkya Rahane if he opts for another explosive option at the top. Stuart Binny was smashed out of the attack by Evin Lewis and he didn't get the opportunity to redeem himself with the bat but it would be slightly unfair to drop him after a single match, especially since this was a game most bowlers would want to forget.
West Indies: Changes are doubtful for the Caribbean side. If Chris Gayle reports in good order on Sunday then someone will have to make way. Lewis is the player who took the Jamaican's place for the first game but after his ton, he certainly won't be the one to lose his spot.
Did you know?
Virat Kohli needs 52 more runs to become the leading run-scorer in a calendar year in T20s. He now has 1614 runs and is only behind Chris Gayle's tally of 1665 in 2015.
Johnson Charles' last eight innings in 20-over cricket reads - 79, 31, 64, 59, 27, 94*, 41 & 25. He has been involved in a 50 opening wicket stand in each of his last five innings.
KL Rahul has taken just 20 innings to complete hundreds in all three formats - fewest by any player.
What they said:
'He has been very consistent. I feel that is a strength of Rahul also, compact player but at the same time unorthodox shots. He plays all over the ground, over covers, mid off, mid on. So a complete cricketer.' - MS Dhoni, India captain.
'Everyone always has suggestions and it kind of eased my role as captain, as a new captain as well, to have such maturity and such experience on the field always lending a helping hand.' - Carlos Brathwaite, West Indies captain.