Samson-Sooryavanshi selection dilemma headlines India's T20I opener against West Indies

 

India’s choice between the experience of Sanju Samson and the youthful promise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set to be the biggest selection dilemma when the Asian Games champions take on a formidable West Indies side in the opening T20 International here on Tuesday.

The change in coaching staff, with Gautam Gambhir taking over from VVS Laxman, could also bring a shift in India's tactical approach, although both coaches favour batting depth extending to No. 8.

Gambhir, however, is unlikely to accommodate both Samson and Sooryavanshi if Abhishek Sharma retains his place at the top of the order.

Laxman had fielded all three in India's recent Asian Games campaign, with Sooryavanshi opening alongside world No. 1-ranked T20 batter Abhishek and Samson coming in at No. 3.

The combination made sense on the tacky surfaces at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin City, where the extra batting depth was useful.

But with the Ekana Stadium expected to offer a better batting surface, Gambhir could be tempted to restore Samson as an opener, particularly with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy available lower down the order.

Samson did not look entirely comfortable at No. 3 in the two matches he played at the Asian Games, but he has shown his ability to score heavily at home, hitting two half-centuries in the last T20I series against Afghanistan.

India already have several options in the middle order, with Ishan Kishan, captain Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Reddy, besides Axar Patel.

That makes it difficult to accommodate both Samson and Sooryavanshi in the same XI unless India opt for an unusually deep batting line-up.

The pace attack presents another selection challenge, with experienced left-armer Arshdeep Singh likely to lead a relatively inexperienced pair in Mayank Yadav, who has six T20I appearances, and Prince Yadav, who has played three.

Axar and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to handle the spin duties.

If Gambhir opts for greater batting depth, Naman Dhir, who has replaced Washington Sundar in the squad, could come in at the expense of one of the less experienced pacers.

It also remains to be seen whether Abhishek is used as a sixth bowling option after the left-arm spinner contributed with the ball during India's Asian Games campaign.

For captain Iyer, the series will provide another test of his leadership against a West Indies side with considerable T20 pedigree.

The Caribbean team has won the T20 World Cup twice, in 2012 and 2016, and possesses several players with extensive franchise cricket experience.

Iyer has led India to T20I series victories against lower-ranked Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, but the West Indies will offer a significantly tougher challenge.

India will nevertheless take confidence from their recent record at home, having beaten the West Indies in nine of their last 10 T20Is on Indian soil.

The visitors have plenty of proven T20 specialists, including Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Akeal Hosein, all familiar with Indian conditions through the Indian Premier League.

Under Shai Hope's leadership, the West Indies remain capable of beating any side on their day.

Hope will be one of the key figures in their batting line-up, alongside Hetmyer, Powell and Sherfane Rutherford, the opposition's No. 1-ranked T20 batter.

They also have plenty of all-round options in Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Powell and Shepherd.

Hosein and Shamar Joseph are expected to lead the bowling attack, with Gudakesh Motie and Chase providing further spin options.

For India, however, the immediate question will be whether Gambhir trusts the experience of Samson or continues with the teenage Sooryavanshi alongside Abhishek.

With the series opening at home and the West Indies boasting enough firepower to punish any lapse, the first XI could offer an early indication of the new coach's preferred T20 template.

Teams:

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

West Indies: Shai Hope (C, WK), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.