India and West Indies are all set to lock horns in the first T20I of the series at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The match will be played on December 6 and both the sides will eye to make a winning start to the series. The Indian team is one a role in International cricket as they displayed a dominant show in their last few series and will eye to continue that against the Caribbean as well. On the other hand, Kieron Pollard and Co lost their last T20I series against Afghanistan and will to make a thumping bounce back. Below, we’ll look at five players to watch out for in India vs West Indies 1st T20I 2019. India Vs West Indies, Cricket Score 1st T20I Match.

Rohit Sharma and  Virat Kohli are the top-two leading run-scorers in T20 Internationals and hence are the main reason India’s good show in the shortest international format. On the other hand, West Indies are defending champions of the T20 World Cup and hence can’t be taken lightly. The likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and Evin Lewis have already proved their mettle at the highest level and will have the onus to defeat the Men in Blue in their own den. Both the sides consist of players who can turn the match on its head and below are such five players who can come good in Hyderabad. India vs West Indies T20I 2019: 5 Records & Stats You Need to Know Ahead of IND vs WI Twenty20 Series.

Deepak Chahar

His six-wicket haul in third India vs Bangladesh T20I must still be fresh in the minds of many cricket fans and the pacer will look to replicate his spectacular show against the calypso Kings as well. Chahar will be up against the brutal Caribbean strikers who can clear any ropes in the world and thus will be at his best in order to restrict them. Nevertheless, the speedster has all the attributes to bowl at any stage of the match and let’s see what he can offer in the first T20I.

Evin Lewis

The hard-hitting left-handed opener has two T20I centuries to his name and both came against India. So, the southpaw certainly likes to bat against the Men in Blue and seek to put up a substantial score at Hyderabad too. Lewis will be up against bowlers like Deepak Chahar and Yuzvendra Chahal who were in great form against Bangladesh and are well able to run through any batting line. So, the dasher will certainly have a job in hand.

Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper has aggregated most international runs in  2019 and has a chance to increase his tally with some spectacular knocks. Kohli has enjoyed facing the Caribbean bowlers in the past and is very well aware of their bowling attack. In his last outing in international cricket, the veteran struck a memorable hundred against Bangladesh in pink-ball Test and now will look to the dismantle the West Indies’ bowling line-up as well.

Rohit Sharma

The Hitman is just one big hit away from completing 400 sixes in International cricket and the opener is well able to achieve the feat in the first ball itself. Rohit was sensational in his last T20I assignment against Bangladesh and the opposition must vary off him. In fact, Rohit hit a magnificent century in the 2nd T20I of West Indies’ last Tour of India in 2018 and the Caribbeans must not have forgotten that.

Jason Holder

The all-rounder was in red-hot form in the 2019 edition of Caribbean Premier League and even led Barbados tridents to the title. Holder also put up a decent show against Afghanistan and his next challenge will be against Virat Kohli and Men. After getting removed as West Indies’ skipper, the veteran seems to play more freely and has a great chance to stamp his authority in the upcoming series.

The ICC World T20 2020 is less than a year away and time is running out for all the sides to identify their best XI and strengthen their squad. Both India and West Indies are the powerhouse of T20I cricket and will also be strong contenders to triumph in the show-piece tournament in Australia. So, a lot will be in stakes in the upcoming series and let’s see if India can continue their dominance or West Indies will emerge victorious.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 04, 2019 12:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).