Agencies
Ranchi
India will look to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series against the West Indies when the teams meet in the second T20I here on Friday, with Sanju Samson’s poor run likely to remain a key talking point.
Samson has scored only 9, 7, 2 and 11 in his last four innings, while teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is waiting for another opportunity after showing glimpses of his range in limited chances.
India have so far backed the established opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Samson, but the management could be tempted to bring Sooryavanshi back into the XI. The middle order has compensated for Samson’s struggles, with captain Shreyas Iyer finding his footing and scoring his maiden T20I century in the series opener.
India could also consider a change in their pace combination, with Mayank Yadav conceding 16 runs in his first over in Lucknow. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, however, looked settled, while Naman Dhir impressed with 3/31.
The West Indies, who were bowled out for 171 in the opener, will need a much-improved batting effort against an Indian attack missing Jasprit Bumrah.
MATCH STARTS@7 PM
