India v West Indies first T20 Tips: Best ways to play another runfest

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Tuesday 6 October, 14:30
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India v West Indies first T20 team news

India won the Asian Games three days ago as their ODI counterparts were engaged in a three-match series against West Indies. The T20 make-up is similar apart from a few tweaks.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Kuldeep Yadav join from the ODI squad but Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar are not involved.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to miss out on the opening role with Sanju Samson preferred. In the Asian Games India were picking only one pacer so they are likely to rebalance here. Mayank Yadav or Prince Yadav will join Arshdeep Singh with the new ball.

Possible XI: Abhishek, Samson, Ishan, Shreyas, Varma, Dube, Reddy,  Axar, Kuldeep, Mayank Yadav/Prince Yadav, Arshdeep

West Indies were buoyed by their win in the final ODI, completing a record chase. They have also been bolstered by the arrival of Shimron Hetmyer, who was rested for that series.

The main selection issue will centre around who opens with Shai Hope. Kamil Pooran (no relation) may make his debut at the age of 30. Or they could go with the in-form Amir Jangoo. The left-field pick would be Quentin Sampson.

There are only three pacers in the squad with all of them expected to play. Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales drop out from the ODI squad.

Possible XI: Hope, K Pooran/Jangoo, Hetmyer, Powell, Chase, Rutherford, Shepherd, Akeal, Motie, Shamar, Forde

India v West Indies first T20 pitch report 

The Lucknow pitch is expected to be full of runs. The runs per over in the last two years is 8.75. When filtering IPL matches only (15 games), that rises to 9.45. More than 180 has been busted eight times in that study with more than 200 coming in five times.

The trend for batters dominating in the ODI should therefore continue. The price that jumps out is the 5/42.25 with Sportsbook that both teams reach 180. That has won eight times, including the last three.

India v West Indies first T20 match prediction 

India are short favourites at 2/91.22 with Sportsbook with West Indies at 3/14.00. This is West indies' best format, however, and the confidence taken from winning the last ODI should bleed into this squad.

The best news for them is that there is a hefty toss bias at this venue. Ten of that 15 game study sample mentioned above have been won by the team batting second. Extending the stat filter to include Syed Mushtaq Trophy matches and it's 19 from 29.

That opens up a value opportunity. We don't expect the West indies price to shorten if the flip goes their way. It never does. Indeed, they could drift with the expectation that India go big.

For traders, the exchange has Windies at a bigger price at 4.607/2. It is no unreasonable to reckon that at least 6.005/1 could be available quite quickly in the India first-innings. The strategy will focus, then, on an order at that price to back and then to lay at 3.002/1. Doubling the original stake on the lay button gives green both sides. But make sure you check in-play and remember: only play if Windies chase.

The toss bias means we have to be careful with derivative India win markets. Sportsbook's 10/111.91 that both teams score 170 and the hosts take the spoils would otherwise have strong appeal. Great bet, though, if India are chasing.

India v West Indies first T20 player tips 

Windies remain vulnerable to Kuldeep Yadav's spin style. Following the India tweaker to do more damage would make sense. He took seven across the three ODI. Sportsbook offer 9/43.25 that he wins tp India bowler. Kuldeep's tight lines and economy means that he could pinch it on a tie separated by runs conceded. On flat wickets we bet milestones instead of top bats. Hope is in touch and there is 9/25.50 that he notches 60. Likewise Abhishek for India. The four fours market at 11/82.38 is an option.

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