India to Bowl vs Windies in the 1st T20I, KL Rahul Not Playing

This is the first assignment for both the sides after the recently concluded World Cup in England and Wales.

(Photo: AP)

India won the toss and opted to field first in the first T20 international against the West Indies in Lauderhill on Saturday, 3 August.

Seamer Navdeep Saini will make his international debut while Manish Pandey is expected to bat at number four. Ravindra Jadeja will play in his first T20I since July 2017. Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were not included in the playing XI.

“This wicket has been under covers, so there might be a bit of moisture and it’s going to get flatter with more sun on it,” said India captain Virat Kohli at the toss.

He said the team has moved on from the World Cup heartbreak.

"It is always good to get on the park. The team has moved on, first few days were difficult when the tournament was going on. But you accept it and life goes on. We are pretty fine now and had a good exciting fielding session the day before and everyone is excited to take the field now," he said.

West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite said that he would have bowled first too because of the conditions. “Looking forward to the T20 World Cup. Hopefully, we will peak in the World Cup,” he said.

Playing XI:

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant(w), Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, K Khaleel Ahmed

West Indies: John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite(c), Sunil Narine, Keemo Paul, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas

(With inputs from IANS)