T20 World Cup 2025/26, IND vs WI 52nd Match, Super Eights, Group 1 Match Preview
Big image: Semi-finals await one group
The anticipated end result remains to be for India to beat that one blip towards South Africa and make it to the semi-finals. Then once more, jeopardy and unpredictability are on the coronary heart of this format.
The path to get right here has been comparable for each groups: a thumping loss to South Africa and a powerful win over Zimbabwe. Even their scores towards Zimbabwe had been almost equivalent.
West Indies are one group India have not confronted of their dominant run beginning with the 2024 T20 World Cup. They are, the truth is, the final group to have overwhelmed India in a sequence manner again in August 2023.
Both sides have improved since then. India are a well-oiled domination machine, West Indies have put collectively scary six-hitters who’ve occurred to hit type. They have hit extra sixes than anyplace at any T20 World Cup, and India are three behind them with 63 thus far.
It is with the ball that India holds a bonus. India’s bowlers are match-winners. They have peace and thriller. It provides them room for error. West Indies are a strictly defensive bowling unit. They’ll want every part to go their strategy to get the higher of India.
Form information
India WLWWW (final 5 accomplished T20Is, most up-to-date first)
West Indies LWWWW
In the highlight: Abhishek Sharma and Roston Chase
Team information: Rinku unlikely
Rinku Singh misplaced his father after the match towards Zimbabwe, which he missed with India bringing in Sanju Samson to interrupt up the left-hand batters within the prime order. He is predicted to affix the squad on Saturday night time however is not anticipated to play.
India (possible): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Varun Chakravarthy.
Brandon King, who had sustained an damage towards South Africa, is match and out there, which ought to recommend no modifications for West Indies.
West Indies (possible): 1 Brandon King, 2 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 3 Shimron Hetmyer, 4 Rovman Powell, 5 Roston Chase, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Matthew Forde, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Shamar Joseph.
Pitch and circumstances
The solely manner for India to get knocked out with out shedding this match is a washout or so many ties that point runs out to bowl sufficient Super Overs. The former, we are able to guarantee you, isn’t possible. A heat Kolkata night awaits either side with no probability of rain. West Indies coach Daren Sammy indicated on Saturday that the pitch appeared dry.
Stats and trivia
- West Indies haven’t overwhelmed India at Eden Gardens in any worldwide since 1983, drawing two and shedding 9 matches together with 4 T20Is.
- West Indies haven’t made it to the semi-finals of an ICC occasion since they gained the T20 World Cup in 2016.
Quotes
(*1*)
Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate
“Do I tell you my XI? No, I will not. But let me tell you, all my soldiers are ready to take down Goliath tomorrow.”
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy
Sidharth Monga is a senior author at ESPNcricinfo
