India won the toss and elected to bowl first against West Indies in the first of the five T20S at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
After winning the toss, was happy to bowl first and chase the visitors’ total. He also confirmed a T20 debut for Naman Dhir after his international debut against the same opponents in the ODI series.
“We are going to bowl first, it’s a mixed soil. There will be some dew as well. [Very short turnaround from the highs of a gold medal in Japan. How does it feel?] Yeah, it’s obviously past and the travel was pretty hectic. I got one day at home and then overnight travel, came last night. As you mentioned, quick turnaround, but right now in the zone, thinking about today’s game and obviously it’s going to be a great challenge. They have got brilliant batting in Shai Hope and a few other batsmen and all-rounders in the team. So, yeah, as I mentioned, we’re looking forward for a great challenge and great contest.” Iyer said.
said he would have liked to bowl first as well. He further added that he hopes the team can keep up the momentum after winning the last ODI.
“We would have bowled first as well. In India, it’s usually a lot better to chase, especially due (to) dew coming into play. We cannot (defend) better. [What has been the chat inside the dressing room?] Just about being able to adapt again. Every set of conditions you come to is very different, and as a player you’ve got to be able to adapt to these conditions here in India again. [On the playing XI] We’ve got six bowling options, a few all-rounders in there as well.” Hope said.
Playing XI for both teams:
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav