IND v WI, 5th T20I, Preview: Hetmyer, Pooran and Hope in Form But Momentum in India’s Favour

India’s Spin Bowling Trio Too Good

Florida, 13 August: After losing the first two T20Is to hosts West Indies in the ongoing 5-match series, India staged a remarkable comeback by winning the next two, now anyone who wins the last one takes the series.

India were under pressure after West Indies sealed victory in the first two games, as the hosts needed one more win to claim the series but the young Indian side fought back well to challenge West Indies.

Although Nicholas Pooran, skipper Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer have been scoring runs, the opening batters, Brandon King and Kyle Mayers, haven’t fired in the series thus far. With Shai Hope’s inclusion, West Indies have strengthened their batting line-up but their openers and lower middle order batters are struggling against Y Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.

Another problem for West Indies is the lack of penetration and depth in their bowling attack. R Shepherd, A Joseph and J Holder haven’t been able to maintain pressure. The spinners, too, haven’t been consistent enough.

Given the way Jaiswal and Gill batted in the fourth T20I and how Surya Kumar Yadav played in the earlier match, it seems that India is high on confidence and enjoying the momentum after winning the last two games.

That said, in a T20I game, anything is possible on a given day. Though India enjoys an upper hand, it would be difficult to rule out a West Indies victory.

NewsnViews gives advantage to India and sees the last contest between the two sides 55:45 in favour of India.