In the third T20I match against Team India, won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
The visitors have made two changes to their playing XI. Romario Shepherd will make way for Quentin Sampson, and Keemo Paul will come in place of .
After winning the toss, Hope said, “I think we all know what I’m going to do, so we’re going to bowl first this time again. [Wicketkeeping, all the runs scored – how tough has the tour been on your body?] You just have to remind me that I’m a bit tired every now and again, but it’s going to be challenging, obviously, playing all three formats and you’re putting your heart out for West Indies. But like I always say, once I cross that line, it’s just about putting the best foot forward and try to do as best as I can for the team to win games”.
When asked about the tips, he has shared with his teammates, the skipper said, “Yeah, just about learning as quickly as we can, these conditions. A few of the guys have not played here, so just about learning and using the experiences from the first two games and finding the best ways that you can formulate your plans to make it more difficult for them in the long run. Yes, for sure. Again, we always know that catches determine a lot of games sometimes. If we take those chances in that second game, maybe we would be chasing 210, who knows. So you still got to look at the cricket in total. This is T20 cricket, and if we cover all the bases right, we’re going to give ourselves the best chance to win games”.
Hope then said that his side will enter the clash with two changes, ” (Romario Shepherd) He’s okay, but obviously slight niggle, so he’s (Romario) actually been rested today, and Quentin (Sampson) is going to come in, and Kimmo Paul is going to come in for Akeal”.
On the other hand, the “Men in Blue” will enter the clash with one change, where Prince Yadav will come in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
said, “Well, (the) dew factor played a massive role in the previous game, but we played exceptional cricket. I still feel that our bowlers were out of plans, but on a given day it happens, and we just got to forget about it and see to it that we are in (with) a fresh mindset today when we arrive. And yes, the toss isn’t in your control, but as a player, as a professional, I would say that you need to put your A-game whenever you step onto the field. [Do you go extra aggressive now that you are batting first?] See, it’s important that we adapt and assess the wicket as quickly as possible, because on a given day you never know how the wicket is going to play. So the quickly we adapt, it’s easier for us, and see to it that we can (post) a very commendable total”.
He then spoke about the team’s combination for the third clash and also said that he wants his teammates to be completely involved in the match rather than thinking about dropped catches.
“Yes, we’ve got two changes. Instead of , Nitish Reddy comes in, and for Kuldeep Yadav, Prince Yadav comes in. Obviously, considering the dimensions of the ground and also seeing that we need an extra seamer in the team, especially to open, execute those crucial overs in pressure situations, and also seeing to it that we limit the boundary-hitting capability which the opponents have. On a given day, you see brilliant catches taken here and there. So it’s part and parcel, and I just want to see that we are completely involved in the game rather than thinking about dropping catches,” he added.
IND vs WI 3rd T20I: Confirmed Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav.
West Indies: Shai Hope (C) (WK), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Shamar Springer, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.