India and West Indies begin their five-match T20I series on October 6 in Lucknow, with Shreyas Iyer captaining India and Shai Hope leading the West Indies.
The contest comes after India won the preceding ODI series 2-1, setting the stage for a fresh challenge in the shorter format.
West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein addressed the media ahead of the opening match, speaking candidly about the challenge his team faces against one of the world’s strongest T20I sides. Hosein acknowledged India’s quality while expressing his team’s resolve to compete at the highest level.
“They (India) know the brand of cricket we play. We know they’re a dangerous team but we’re not going to back down as well,” Hosein said at the pre-match press conference.
West Indies acknowledge India’s strength but back themselves
West Indies have not won a bilateral T20I series in India, losing all four such contests they have played there, including three against India and one against Afghanistan. India whitewashed West Indies 3-0 in both 2018 and 2022 when touring India, underlining the scale of the challenge ahead.
Akeal said that planning is going to be key for both teams and so is the execution. He asserted that the Caribbeans will focus on things that they can control.
“Both teams are looking forward to the challenge. It’s just about who plans it best and who executes it best. We’re going to focus on the things that we can control,” Hosein said.
Powerplay bowling against India’s elite batters presents a significant challenge
India’s top-order batting presents a particular threat in the powerplay overs. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan form part of India’s T20I squad and offer explosive batting options at the top of the order. The combination of these three batters gives India a formidable opening phase.
Hosein acknowledged the difficulty of bowling in the powerplay against India’s elite batters, particularly as a spinner operating in the shortest format. The West Indies bowler recognised that India’s top-order players possess the skill and aggression to capitalise on any loose deliveries.
“I mean you are not scared to bowl in the new world, in fact you relished that challenge. We know India’s T20 top players are top 3, how devastating it looks,” Hosein said.
“I think bowling in the power play in general is pretty scary especially when you are a spinner. You have a short space to work with on the pitch, and then you have two guys out. It is also extra difficult when you have good batting surfaces and these guys who strike at high strike rates,” he added.