IND vs WI T20: India Take On West Indies in Lucknow Today, First Big Test for New Captain Shreyas Iyer

IND vs WI T20: The five-match T20 International series between India and West Indies begins today, 6 October, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The IND vs WI 1st T20I starts at 7 pm IST. Fresh from their Asian Games gold, India will want a winning start, while West Indies arrive with confidence from a big win in the final ODI.

IND vs WI T20: a changed India side

This series brings a major change in India's T20 leadership. Shreyas Iyer is captain and Tilak Varma is vice-captain. The squad includes Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and others.

The most interesting questions for India are the opening combination and whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays. The 15-year-old could get his first chance to prove himself at senior T20 International level, but whether he makes the India vs West Indies playing 11 is the biggest selection question before the match.

Iyer has said in a recent interview that the team would like to continue with the World Cup-winning opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson for now, and that Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his opportunities, Outlook India reported.

No Bumrah, focus on a young pace attack

India's biggest challenge in this series looks to be the fast-bowling department. Jasprit Bumrah is not part of the five-match series, so Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav will carry extra responsibility.

Mayank Yadav's return is a key talking point. His pace can give India a different option in the powerplay and at the death. The spin pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel could also play a big role in Lucknow conditions.

Plenty of batting options

India's batting line-up has real depth this time. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan can all play aggressive cricket, while Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube add strength in the middle order.

For captain Shreyas Iyer, the problem is not a shortage of players but choosing the right combination. The choice between Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been widely discussed, and who opens with Abhishek Sharma will be one of the key questions of the match.

West Indies cannot be taken lightly

West Indies lost the ODI series 1-2 to India, but they came back strongly in the third ODI. Shai Hope's unbeaten 162 helped them chase down 352 in New Chandigarh, their highest successful ODI chase, and that will have lifted the visitors' confidence.

Alongside Hope, the T20 squad has Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd and Roston Chase. In bowling, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie and Shamar Joseph can test India.

The series is also special for Kamil Pooran, who has earned his maiden T20 International call-up after scoring 273 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 159.64 in this year's Caribbean Premier League, according to Cricket West Indies.

IND vs WI T20: who will the Lucknow pitch favour?

The Ekana Stadium in Lucknow is generally not counted among the easiest T20 grounds for batters. Available figures put the average first-innings score in T20 Internationals here at around 141, and teams batting first have the better record.

The captain who wins the toss may therefore seriously consider batting first. Spinners can also expect help on a slow surface.

India vs West Indies T20 head-to-head

The two sides have met in 31 T20 Internationals so far, according to the figures in circulation ahead of the series.

The overall record clearly leans towards India.

IND vs WI T20: squads

India

Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir

West Indies

Shai Hope (C/WK), Kamil Pooran, Amir Jangoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Matthew Forde, Keemo Paul, Quentin Sampson, Shamar Springer

IND vs WI T20 series: full schedule

According to the BCCI, the whole series will be played in India.

Players to watch today

• Abhishek Sharma: His ability to give fast starts in the powerplay makes him a big weapon for India.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: This could be the biggest stage yet for the young batter. If he gets a chance, all eyes will be on him.
• Mayank Yadav: Back in the T20 side after a long gap, his pace can trouble the West Indies batters.
• Kuldeep Yadav: His role in the middle overs will be important in Lucknow conditions.
• Shai Hope: After his 162 in the ODI, West Indies will expect a big contribution from him in the T20s too.

The real question: can India build pressure early?

For India, the IND vs WI T20 series is not just another five-match home series. Under Shreyas Iyer, it is a chance to test the team's new combination.

India have explosive batting options, but without Bumrah the bowling unit has to prove its worth. West Indies, on the other hand, have players who can turn a small opening into a big score.

Tonight in Lucknow, then, is not only about whether India win or lose. It will also show how quickly Shreyas Iyer's new T20 side can find its identity under pressure.