ZCZC
BSP-24
CRICKET-IND-WIS-TOSS
India opt to bowl against West Indies in 1st T20
KOLKATA, Nov 4, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss
and elected to bowl against West Indies in the first of the three Twenty20
internationals in Kolkata on Sunday.
The hosts, who come into the shortest format after winning the Test series
2-0 and the one-day internationals 3-1, have fielded two debutants in fast
bowler Khaleel Ahmed and allrounder Krunal Pandya.
“We have played a lot of cricket here (at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens), batting
second becomes easier,” Sharma, standing in as skipper for the resting Virat
Kohli, said at the toss.
“The dew might turn out to be a factor as well. It’s going to play a
massive role.”
The tourists also handed T20 caps to paceman Oshane Thomas, allrounder
Khary Pierre and Fabian Allen.
Skipper Carlos Brathwaite said West Indies, who are the current World T20
champions, are looking to be “expressive” on the field.
“We have a few debutants and some senior players as well. We just need to
enjoy ourselves, express ourselves and take on the challenge as a family,”
said Brathwaite.
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant
(wk), Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit
Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Umesh Yadav
West Indies: Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Rovman Powell, Darren Bravo, Shai
Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kieron Pollard, Keemo Paul, Fabian
Allen, Khary Pierre, Oshane Thomas
Umpires: Chettithody Shamshuddin (IND), CK Nandan
TV umpire: Anil Chaudhary (IND)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)
BSS/AFP/ARS/1956 hrs