West Indies made a strong comeback in the second T20I and chased down a huge total of 171 to level the series 1-1. India’s sloppy fielding did play a huge role in West Indies’ success but the bowling performance once again popped up India’s problems of failing to defend totals. India haven’t been the smartest defenders in T20Is, a fact that West Indies captain Kieron Pollard would have known.
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Lendl Simmons, famous for his 82* off 51 in the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2016, put up 73 runs for the first wicket with Evin Lewis and remained unbeaten on 67 off 45 to ensure a win. Nicholas Pooran’s 38* off 18 also played a part towards as end as West Indies scaled the target.
Conditions –
The flat wicket of Wankhede Stadium will produce high scores and team batting second will have the advantage. Pollard has more experience of playing at Wankhede than many Indian players and West Indies are the favourite going into the decider. Toss will play a crucial role in deciding the course of the match.
Here is likely playing XI of both the teams –
India –
Samson Samson would have got his chance had India won the second T20I but since the series is on the line in Mumbai, expect the same playing XI for the third time in the series. Whether Shivam Dube continues to bat at number 3 or not will depend on the fact that whether India are batting first or are they chasing the target.
West Indies –
Pooran’s inclusion did wonders for West Indies as he played a pivotal role in the chase. Their bowlers also put up a great effort to restrict India for 170. Pollard is unexpected to tinker the winning combination.
My Dream11 team for Ind vs WI 3rd T20
Lendl Simmons (Vice-Captain), Evin Lewis, Rohit Sharma (Captain), Virat Kohli, Nicholas Pooran, Washington Sundar, Kieron Pollard, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kesrick Williams, Hayden Walsh