India v West Indies third T20 Tips: Batters to dominate again

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Sunday 11 October, 14:30
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India v West Indies third T20 team news

India have had their wings clipped, failing to defend a mammoth 249. It was an alarming failure and there may well be consequences for the bowling group.

Mayank Yadav took three wickets so will go again while Kuldeep Yadav's white-ball record against the Windies surely saves him from the chop. But Axar Patel and Shivam Dube could be under pressure. Arshdeep Singh may also be considered for a rest.

Prince Yadav, the quick, looks certain to come in while spinner Ravi Bishnoi and Nitish Kumar Reddy are other options. Bishnoi may switch in for Axar with Reddy added for Arshdeep. That would give five fair bowling options on a pitch which is likely to require as many as overs as possible from specialists.

Possible XI: Samson, Abhishek, Ishan, Shreyas, Tilak, Reddy, Dube, Kuldeep, Prince, Mayank, Bishnoi

West Indies are equipping themselves well on tour. The win in Ranchi was one of epic proportions with Shai Hope underlining his reputation as one of the best white-ball batters in the world.

The success was particularly impressive because it was the epitome of a 'come from behind' win. At 58 for three in the sixth it would have been fair to expect the contest to collapse. But Hope and Sherfane Rutherford kept on hitting and India had no answer.

There could still be a change in the line-up. On two flat ones Kamil Pooran ahs failed twice so Amir Jangoo could come in to open the batting. Gudakesh Motie replaced Matthew Forde for game two. Forde might come back in for Shamar Springer as prioritising bowling nous (and Forde is canny) is wise.

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

India v West Indies third T20 pitch report 

India coach Gautam Gambhir has bemoaned the flat wickets in white-ball cricket in India, arguing that bowlers' careers are being jeopardised. He has a point. A reset is probably required as to what constitutes a 'good' economy rate these days in T20. There might not be much respite in Indore, which is another bat-dominated venue.

In the last two years there have been 14 matches with the average run rate at 8.9. In IPL only the run rate in all games busts nine. The last T20i was in 2024 when Afghanistan's weak batting managed 172 India chased that inside 16 overs.

The expectation in a runfest is seen in the Sportsbook total sixes quote at overs 21.5. Look, it's too high statistically but it would hardly be a relaxing wager. It's won only twice in those last 14.

India v West Indies third T20 match prediction 

West Indies can be trusted for a trade it would seem, batting first or second. With that win under their belt the market is much more likely to react accordingly to a fast start with the bat.

In an ideal world they bat first. It would be much more simple to take points on a back-to-lay without having to wade through a monster India total first. The caveat is that Windies would be a much higher price at the break. West Indies start from 4.03/1 on the Betfair Exchange so getting them down to even money is a possibility.

The lesson from game two could be that India in a chase get up. If West Indies can go after 249 India have the ability to match. Odds-against India in a chase is to be hoped for.

India v West Indies third T20 player tips 

On another batting paradise taking others out of the equation is the way to go. A big score might not be enough as those small number of punters who were on Sherfane Rutrherford for honours found out. His 84 would have been enough for the majority of games.

We want to swerve top-bat markets even if Hope is in the form if his life and Shimron Hetmyer is in the runs zone, too. Shimron Hetmyer would have been a confident pick for top-bat on win rates but we have to look at milestones instead. Hettie is 5/23.50 for 40 or more. Hope is 15/82.88 for the same.

For India, both Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma are overdue top bat wins on the rates. But, again, back them for individual quotes. Take the 11/102.11 the pair that each score 30. We're trying to filter out as many variables as possible for the win.

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