Relentless India aim to seal historic series win in Florida

When India was 0-2, plenty of critics found their voice, with some even calling this Indian unit one of the worst Indian sides ever. But time works in a funny way that all those criticism has turned a corner, with India in the driver’s seat to complete a comeback series win over West Indies. 

The comeback started in Guyana on a slow and tricky surface, and here in Florida, India went into overdrive. Arshdeep Singh yet again proved his worth, with two wickets in the powerplay before Kuldeep Yadav put on a show, picking up two crucial wickets. 

Interestingly, both these bowlers average under ten at the venue, giving Indian fans more hope of India completing a series comeback. West Indies, who started the series strong, have felt the pain of being overly dependent on Nicholas Pooran, who has been dismissed twice in two innings against Kuldeep. 

With just a night’s sleep separating the fourth and the fifth T20I, India will be more confident about completing a commendable series win. 

Things to watch out for

India’s new-look opening pair look dazzling

When Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal walked out to bat in Guyana the other night, it looked like India had finally found their new-gen opening pair. But that dream lasted just four deliveries and six runs when Jaiswal was dismissed. Few overs later, Gill, too, walked back for just six, and in the end, it didn’t even matter. 

But cometh the hour, cometh the batting pair. Chasing 179, all eyes were on them. And the duo stepped up, and how. Jaiswal took off, signalling his intentions from the first delivery with a thundering four. At the end of the fourth over, Jaiswal already raced away to 25, and India thumped 66 runs in the powerplay. 

The duo kept attacking and, in the process, also entered themselves into the record books multiple times during the partnership. It was the third-highest partnership for India in T20Is, with 165 runs, and also was the third time when two Indian openers scored 75+ runs each. If this partnership was just a trailer, then India’s opening pair for the future is as good as sorted. 

Pooran blowing cold hurts Windies

If one aspect has hurt West Indies over the last two T20Is, it has been the form of Nicholas Pooran. Even in the third T20I in Guyana, Pooran took on Kuldeep Yadav, scoring ten runs before eventually perishing against the left-arm wrist spinner. In fact, the southpaw previously, too, hasn’t had the best of records against Kuldeep, being dismissed four times, having scored just 41 runs off 43 deliveries, averaging just 10.3. 

It was that phase which genuinely hurt the Windies’ chances in Florida, with them going from a run-rate of 9.2 in the first six overs to 6 in the next four overs. Even an increase in the run-rate later could not help Windies post a big total. Pooran’s intentions to attack weren’t wrong, but his record against the left-arm unorthodox spinner is hurting the Windies. 

So, Windies will have to find a way out, or Pooran has to curb his aggression, with the former being much easier. 

Axar Patel’s form - a concern? 

While Axar Patel has definitely hit the nail with the bat in hand, with 168 runs, with a strike-rate of 160 since September 2022, his form with the ball is CONCERNING. It is easily swept under the carpet with India’s performance across the bilateral series, but when you look at it on a microscopic level, Axar has been nothing short of lukewarm. 

Against South Africa back in 2022, the left-arm spinner only picked up two wickets, averaging 41. Even if you ignore that as a one-off series, his numbers on a consistent basis have been underwhelming, with a series average of 38.3, 42.5 and 24.7. It isn’t just internationally; even in the 2023 Indian Premier League, the left-arm spinner averaged 30.7. 

Whilst it might not be an alarming concern right now, expect it to become when India face the heat. 

Ground details and conditions

Prior to the encounter on August 12 (Saturday), 11 out of the 13 encounters were won by teams batting first. However, on Saturday, that changed when India chased down 179 with relative ease, only losing one wicket. The spinners picked four of the nine wickets on the night, with Kuldeep picking two. 

Since there’s hardly any break between the two T20Is, expect the pitch to play slower and aid the spinners. While the spinners haven’t picked up as many wickets at the venue, an average of 20.2 certainly signifies that the conditions will be spin-friendly. 

On the batting front, with 179 being a total chased down with such ease, teams batting first would target at least 190, as Rovman Powell admitted in the post-match presentation. 

Tactical Nous

Could India consider Ravi Bishnoi?

Can India feature a three-man spin unit with the pitch in Florida aiding the spinners? Whilst that seems like a far-fetched idea for the Indian management, there is a reason why India could consider including the leg-spinner. 

Ravi Bishnoi’s numbers at the venue are a work of art, with six wickets in 6.4 overs, averaging 7.2 with an economy of just 6.5. If that isn’t enough, his record against West Indies - 11 wickets @16 - could be another reason. 

If that isn’t enough either, he has a strong match-up against Powell and Shimron Hetmyer, with five wickets. So, it is an interesting option for India to consider. 

Probable XIs

Unless there are no injuries, expect both teams to be unchanged for the fifth T20I.

West Indies - Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy

India - Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar