India vs West Indias 2019: 3 Indian players for whom the series will be crucial
India and West Indies will lock horns in a three match T20I series starting on 6th December in Hyderabad. The Windies have lost their last six matches against India and a near full-strength Indian team are the outright favourites for this series as well.
However, this series is going to be very crucial for a few Indian players. One is making a comeback, one is looking to cement his place in the team and one is in dire need to score runs.
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Here are three players for whom this series is of paramount importance.
#3 Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has been terrific for India in the limited opportunities he has got. Many people have begun to see him as India's long searched no. 4 in the limited-overs format. This series provides him with just the most ideal chance to cement his place in the team.
Iyer scored 108 runs in three innings against Bangladesh at an astounding average of 54 and strike rate of 183. He has got loads of potential and talent, and with a few more runs under his belt, he can shut the search of no. 4 for now.
#2 Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav hasn't featured in T20 internationals for India in the last 10 months. He was dropped midway through the IPL tournament by Kolkata Knight Riders because of his dismal performances. He was hit for 30 runs in an over by Moeen Ali and hasn't played for club or country since then.
However, the West Indies series could provide the opportunity to right a lot of wrongs for him. The Windies have the worst record against wrist spinners among the top 10 T20I sides. They lose a wicket almost every two overs against the leggies and this might just be the chance for Kuldeep Yadav to regain some form and the lost confidence of his skipper.
#3 Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is going through a terrible run of form. The pressure of expectation to fill Dhoni's gloves behind the wickets has weighed heavy on Pant's shoulders, taking awy from the qualities that brought him into the national team in the first place. His biggest strength is to hit shots all around the ground but at the moment he is not even able to put bat to ball.
Pant has an aggregate of 46 runs in the last five T20 matches at a strike rate of less than 100. He went into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to get his rhythm back but both his innings raised only doubts on his abilities rather than hope.
Pant managed a mere 58 runs in two innings for Delhi at a strike-rate of 99. Sanju Samson is desperately trying to break into the team and if Pant doesn't perform in this series then the faith of the team management might also begin to fade away.