With series in the bag, India look to test bench strength

Overview

India vs West Indies, third T20IEden Gardens, Kolkata
20 February, 19:00 local

West Indies on this tour are yet to find their first victory. After losing the ODI series 3-0, the visitors haven't managed to find a win in their favoured format as well. India have outdone West Indies in crucial moments, leading to some close victories.

Kieron Pollard, who was unsatisfied with their batting performance in the first T20I, was happy to see the West Indies batters improve in the second match. The bowlers have done a good job so far in the series, but it was up to the batters to step up and produce some good performances. With Nicholas Pooran in fine form and Rovman Powell back in full flight, the pressure will be on the Indian bowlers to put on a show in the third T20I.

For India, it has been a brilliant series to get back to winning ways. They have been outstanding in every department and the Indian squad has appeared more confident under Rohit Sharma's captaincy.

The bowlers have also turned in some excellent performances in the series, particularly spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who made his debut in the first T20I. Yuzvendra Chahal has also been effective in taking wickets at the right time for India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had been under scrutiny for some time, delivered in the second T20I by bowling the match-winning penultimate over.

Apart from Ishan Kishan, who has struggled for form, the other batters in the lineup have chipped in whenever needed. Now that Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been rested for the third T20I, other players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer may be given a chance.

Remember the last time

In the second T20I at Kolkata, India defeated the visitors by 8 runs. Batting first, India started poorly. After Ishan Kishan was dismissed early, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli put on a good show but it didn't last long as Rohit was dismissed on 19. Suryakumar Yadav who came out at number 4 soon followed him back to the pavilion.

With three cheap wickets, that of Ishan, Rohit and Suryakumar, India could have faced some troubles but it didn't affect the middle-order batters. Rishabh Pant (52* off 28) and Virat Kohli (52 off 41) smashed fine fifties and steadied the ship, followed by a fierce innings from Venkatesh Iyer (33 off 18) towards the end helping India post a total of 186/5 in 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 187, the West Indies batters produced some brilliant knocks. After a decent start, Pooran (62) and Powell (68*) added 100 runs for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Thanks to Bhuvneshwar's excellent penultimate over, the game came down to the wire.

With set batters Powell and skipper Pollard on the crease, anything could have been possible. West Indies needed 25 runs off the last over and Powell managed to hit back-to-back sixes off Harshal Patel but he couldn't take his team over the line, and India emerged victorious.

What they said

Rohit Sharma (India captain): “Always a fear when you are playing against these guys. We knew it would be a little tough. We were very well prepared. Under pressure, we executed all our plans. It was very critical given the point of time. Experience plays a part. He (Bhuvi) was hitting those yorkers and that odd bouncer. We believe in his talent. It was very important innings from Virat. The way he started off, took the pressure of me as well. We didn't start well in the first two overs, then he came in and started playing those shots which was very pleasing to the eye. Great finish from Pant and Iyer as well. Very happy to see how he (Venkatesh Iyer) has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants. In the end, he wanted to bowl one over as well. We need such characters in our team. We were a bit sloppy on the field. A little disappointed with that. The game would have been different had we taken those catches.”

Kieron Pollard (West Indies captain): “He (Powell) was phenomenal today. His partnership with Pooran almost got us over the line. We did well to take it as deep as we can. We can look at different ways as to how we could have gotten those 8 runs. At the end of it, we can look at so many ways. He (Chase) has bowled well. He came in and showed us something. Again he delivered for us. We can't just call batters out. Was a very good game. We sort of rectified our mistakes from the previous games.”