Sanju Samson pipped Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the second opener’s spot alongside Abhishek Sharma as India made four changes for the first T20I against West Indies in Lucknow on Tuesday. The 15-year-old’s wait for an international game on Indian soil will continue.
Samson had not looked entirely comfortable at No. 3 in the two games he played in the role. However, he has a strong record in sub-continental conditions and had scored a couple of half-centuries in India’s last home T20I series against Afghanistan.
India vs West Indies 1st T20I: UPDATES | SCORECARD
India also handed Naman Dhir his T20I debut. The all-rounder received his maiden T20I cap from Arshdeep Singh. Dhir had made his ODI debut against West Indies on September 27 and now gets his opportunity in the shortest format.
India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. He said the pitch had mixed soil and expected dew to play a role later in the game.
“We are going to bowl first, it’s a mixed soil. There will be some dew as well. Travel was pretty hectic. Came last night, today we have turned up for the game but we are in the zone,” Iyer said at the toss.
Iyer also praised West Indies and said India were expecting a tough contest against a side that has been one of the strongest teams in T20 cricket in recent years.
“They have been fabulous, they have dominated T20 cricket in the last few years. They have got brilliant batting and all-rounders. Looking forward to the contest,” he said.
India made four changes to their playing XI, with Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav missing out.
The decision means Vaibhav will have to wait for his first T20I appearance in India. The teenager has already made his international debut but is yet to play an international match on home soil.
Samson has been preferred as the second opener alongside Abhishek Sharma, while Ishan Kishan has been included at No. 3. Iyer will bat at No. 4, followed by Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube.
Naman Dhir comes in at No. 7 and is followed by Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Mayank Yadav.
For West Indies, Shai Hope will lead the side and keep wickets. Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford form the main batting group, while Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde and Roston Chase provide further all-round options.
Akeal Hosein will make his 100th T20I appearance for West Indies. The experienced spinner reaches the landmark in Lucknow, adding another milestone to an important night for the visitors.
Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph complete the West Indies playing XI.
INDIA PLAYING XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav
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
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