India vs WI 2022: 1st T20 Best Predicted Playing 11 for both Teams

Rohit Sharma returns to lead as we look at the 2022 West Indies (WI) vs India 1st T20 best predicted playing 11 for both the teams.

Team India seems to be on a golden run against the West Indies as they complete a trio of whitewash in their last three limited overs series. The recent ODI series vs West Indies saw Team India beat West Indies 3-0. The best thing was that India were able to achieve this feat even with a String B side led by Shikhar Dhawan. 

Now, the upcoming T20 series brings a fresh challenge to the Indian team. Unlike the recent encounters for Team India, this series will have 5 matches instead of the normal 3 matches. While 3 matches will be played in the West Indies, the last two matches shall be played in the US to boost the game in the country.

The squad for Team India will also see a revamp. Most of the players that played the ODI series aren’t available for the T20 series. These include the likes of Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, who aren’t available for the T20 series vs West Indies. 

For the T20 series, Rohit Sharma will be back as captain. So, with new players being added and KL Rahul unavailable due to Covid, what could be the best predicted playing 11 for Team India for the 1st T20 vs West Indies (WI)? Let’s find out in the article. Before that, let’s quickly skim through our official squad for the T20 series. 

WI vs India 2022 – Official T20 Series Squad Players List for Team India: 

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, & Suryakumar Yadav 

Wks: Dinesh Karthik, Ishan Kishan & Rishabh Pant

All-rounders: Axar Patel, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja 

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin & Ravi Bishnoi 

Coach: Rahul Dravid // Captain: Rohit Sharma 

Match Details:

Tournament: India Tour of West Indies 2022 

Type: T20 Series – 1st T20I 

Where: Tarouba

When: July 29, 8 pm IST

Key Historical Stats – West Indies vs India T20Is

Played: 20 // India Won: 13 // West Indies Won: 6 // D/NR: 1

245/6 – Highest Team Total by West Indies

95/9 – Lowest Team Total by West Indies

585 – Most Runs by Rohit Sharma

125*(62) – Highest Individual Score by Evin Lewis

10 – Most Wickets by Bhuvneshwar Kumar

4/16 – Best Bowling Spell by Darren Sammy

Playing 11 for Both Teams:

The biggest question for Team India would be the choice of the second opener alongside Rohit Sharma. The absence of KL Rahul leaves India with two options. One we have the primary backup opener Ishan Kishan. Whereas second, we have the make-shift experimental opener, Rishabh Pant. 

Both have a strong case, but the choice of opener should most-likely be Rishabh Pant. Pant was selected ahead of Kishan as the opener in the England T20 series. Having played two T2I0s, Pant did a decent job. So, with the same strategy, India would like to continue playing Pant as the opener alongside Rohit Sharma. 

The other way how both Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant can play together is by leaving out Shreyas Iyer. That way Kishan will open with Rohit, SKY will play at 3, Rishabh Pant at 4, and so on. However, this move looks unlikely given that it changes the batting order to some extent. 

Middle-order Conundrum 

The other debate would be the selection of number 3. With Virat Kohli not available, India have two options for this spot. Those are Deepak Hooda and Shreyas Iyer. This would be a tough choice. But if we take the cues from the England Series and the recent West Indies series, Shreyas Iyer has an upper hand for the number 3 spot. 

The next selection debate would be whether India go with 3 Pacer + 3 spinners or 4 Pacers + 2 spinners. To be honest, both aren’t bad options given the West Indies’ spin-friendly conditions. From the available bowling options, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav should definitely play in the starting 11. 

The final bowler spot should be one of Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, or Arshdeep Singh. Now, from the three options and situation demand, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh seems the best bet. He did well on his debut, and deserves a go. Whereas Avesh hasn’t looked impressive off late and Bishnoi would only play if India choose 3 spinners. 

West Indies vs India 2022: 1st T20I Predicted Playing 11 for Team India

Rohit Sharma (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer,  Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav & Arshdeep Singh

West Indies vs India 2022: 1st T20I Predicted Playing 11 for West Indies

Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (C&WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Obed Mccoy, Akeal Hossain, Hayden Walsh & Alzarri Joseph 

Best Fantasy XI Prediction for West Indies vs India 2022 – 1st T20I 

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Suryakumar Yadav, 

Wks: Nicholas Pooran & Rishabh Pant 

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Kyle Mayers & Jason Holder 

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Hayden Walsh & Kuldeep Yadav

CVC Choice: Rohit Sharma & Nicholas Pooran

Please note that some of the things are also dependent on the toss, so do check our Telegram channel for live updates on actual playing 11 and fantasy tips. Channel link in the Author bio section. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Team India for the 1st T20 vs West Indies? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.