IND vs WI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Dropped for 1st T20I, Naman Dhir Gets Debut as India Ring Changes

Sanju Samson has been picked ahead of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as India’s second opener alongside Abhishek Sharma for the first T20I against West Indies in Lucknow on Tuesday.

The selection means the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his first international appearance on Indian soil. Having already made his international debut, the youngster is yet to play an international match at home.

Samson returns to the opening slot after struggling to make an impact at No. 3 in his previous two appearances. His strong record in subcontinental conditions and two half-centuries in India’s previous home T20I series against Afghanistan have earned him the nod.

India also handed Naman Dhir his T20I debut. The all-rounder received his maiden cap from Arshdeep Singh after making his ODI debut against West Indies on September 27.

Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. He said the mixed-soil pitch could offer an interesting contest, with dew expected 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.

Iyer also acknowledged the threat posed by West Indies, praising their recent record in T20 cricket and their depth in both batting and all-round options.

India made four changes from their previous XI, with Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav making way.

Samson will open with Abhishek, while Ishan Kishan takes the No. 3 position. Iyer will bat at No. 4, followed by Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube. Dhir comes in at No. 7, with Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Mayank Yadav completing the XI.

West Indies will be led by Shai Hope, who will also keep wickets. Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford form the main batting unit, with Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde and Roston Chase providing all-round options.

Akeal Hosein is set to mark his 100th T20I appearance for West Indies in Lucknow. Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph complete the visitors’ line-up.

India 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 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.