IND vs WI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi omitted as India make 4 changes for 1st T20I

Sanju Samson came in second to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi alongside Abhishek Sharma as India made four changes for the first T20I against the West Indies in Lucknow on Tuesday. The 15-year wait for an international match on Indian soil will continue.

Samson hasn’t looked entirely comfortable at No. 3 in the two games he’s played in that role. However, he has a good record in sub-continental conditions and scored a couple of half-centuries in India’s last home T20I series against Afghanistan.

India vs West Indies 1st T20I: UPDATE | SCORECARD

India also handed Naman Dhir his T20I debut. The all-rounder got his first T20I cap from Arshdeep Singh. Dhir made his ODI debut against West Indies on September 27 and is now getting an opportunity in the shortest format.

India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. He said the pitch had mixed ground and expected the dew to play a role later in the game.

“We will go bowling first, it’s a mixed ground. There will be some dew as well. The travel has been quite hectic. It came last night, today we turned up for the match but we are in the zone,” Iyer said at the toss.

Iyer also praised West Indies and said that India expected a tough game against a side that has been one of the strongest teams in T20 cricket in recent years.

“They have been fabulous, they have dominated T20 cricket for the last few years. They have great batting and all-rounders. I am looking forward to the competition,” he said.

India made four changes to their playing XI with Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav missing out.

The decision means Vaibhav will have to wait for his first T20I appearance in India. The teenager has already made his international debut but is yet to play an international match on home soil.

Samson has been preferred as the second opener alongside Abhishek Sharma, while Ishan Kishan has been slotted in at No. 3. Iyer will bat at No. 4, followed by Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube.

Naman Dhir is ranked 7th followed by Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Mayank Yadav.

For West Indies, Shai Hope will lead the side and keep wickets. Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford form the core batting group, while Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde and Roston Chase provide other all-round options.

Akeal Hosein makes his 100th T20I appearance for West Indies. The veteran spinner reaches the milestone in Lucknow and adds another milestone to an important night for the visitors.

Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph complete the West Indies playing XI.

INDIA PLAYING XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (f), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav.

WEST INDIES PLAYING XI: Shai Hope (w/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph

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