IND vs WI 1st T20I: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Misses Out, Naman Dhir Makes Debut as India Make 4 Changes

Sanju Samson has been picked ahead of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner for the first T20I against West Indies in Lucknow on Tuesday.

The decision means Sooryavanshi will have to wait longer for his first international appearance on home soil.

Samson, who had struggled for fluency while batting at No. 3 in his previous two games, returns to the opening slot. His record in sub-continental conditions and his two half-centuries in India’s previous home T20I series against Afghanistan worked in his favour.

India also handed Naman Dhir his T20I debut. The all-rounder received his maiden cap from Arshdeep Singh. Dhir had made his ODI debut against West Indies on September 27 and now gets his chance in the shortest format.

Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium. He said the pitch had a mixed-soil surface and expected dew to become a factor later in the evening.

“We are going to bowl first, it’s a mixed soil. There will be some dew as well. Travel was pretty hectic. Came last night, today we have turned up for the game but we are in the zone,” Iyer said at the toss.

Iyer also praised West Indies, describing them as a formidable T20 side and backing a competitive contest.

“They have been fabulous, they have dominated T20 cricket in the last few years. They have got brilliant batting and all-rounders. Looking forward to the contest,” he said.

India made four changes to their playing XI, leaving out Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav.

Samson will open alongside Abhishek, with Ishan Kishan batting at No. 3. Iyer follows at No. 4, with Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube completing the middle order. Debutant Naman Dhir comes in at No. 7, followed by Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Mayank Yadav.

For West Indies, Shai Hope will captain the side and take the gloves. Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford make up the core batting unit, while Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde and Roston Chase add all-round options.

Akeal Hosein will make his 100th T20I appearance for West Indies in Lucknow. Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph complete the visitors’ playing XI.

India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav

West Indies Playing XI: Shai Hope (w/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph