India’s strongest playing XI for T20I series against West Indies

India will play an all-format series in West Indies from July 12. The series will start with two-match Test series, followed by a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series. In all formats, the Test and ODI squads for the Men In Blue were announced early. The team is looking for a new era in the red-ball format. In the white-ball formats, they are looking to start preparing for the World Cup (2023 ODI and T20 WC 2024).

The T20I squad for the series was announced only a few days. The team has had a few changes. The matches will be played in Trinidad, Guyana, and Florida. Meanwhile, let’s have a look at the best possible playing XI for the Asian side.

1. Opening batters

The likes of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to open the innings during the series. With Ishan Kishan being exposed against swing and seam and quality pace, he is likely to be warming the bench.

Gill won the Orange Cap in the IPL 2023 for scoring close to 900 runs. On the other hand, Jaiswal scored more than 600 runs in the tournament. He has gotten his maiden India call-up.

2. Middle-Order and All-rounders

The likes of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (as a wicketkeeper batter), skipper Hardik Pandya, and all-rounder Axar Patel will be part of the middle-order and all-rounders slots. Samson is set to take the gloves as Kishan is not in form and Jitesh Sharma is left out.

Apart from this, Tilak Varma might make his India debut like Jaiswal. The others are automatic picks in the team.

3. Bowlers

Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, and Arshdeep Singh are the probable bowlers that will be picked in the series. As the Caribbeans are suspect against leg-spin, the two leggies, Chahal and Yadav might get picked.

Apart from them, Singh can bring the ball in to the right-hander from left-arm over the wicket angle and Malik is an out and out pacer.