(Cricket news) After an emphatic 3-0 ODI series win over West Indies, India will now play 5 T20Is. The series is very important for both the sides in preparation for the T20 World Cup. West Indies played well in the ODIs but still couldn't win a single match. This time around they would want to capitalise on certain moments and get over the line. India are without Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal but their depth is such that they will not be affected. KL Rahul who was originally in the squad has not travelled with the team due to Covid. 

India's possible playing XI:

Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi 

Bench: Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan

Rishabh Pant has opened in the last two T20I games and in KL Rahul's absence he is likely to continue in the same role. West Indies have a lot of big hitters therefore the spinners will play a very big role in the side. India have a lot of combinations they could go for but 3 seamers, 1 spinner and 2 all-rounders looks to be the stapled method for this Indian side in whiteball cricket. 

West Indies possible playing XI:

Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Obed Mccoy, Akeal Hossain, Hayden Walsh Jr., Alzarri Joseph 

Bench: Sharmarh Brooks, Dominic Drakes, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Devon Thomas.

The Windies have a very deep batting line-up and a lot of bowling options as well which makes them a well rounded side. Skipper Pooran will play a very important role not just as a batter but as the captain. The one problem that comes with having so many bowling options is that making bowling changes becomes difficult. Hetmyer will be playing a T20I for the first time since the T20 World Cup last year. 

India are definitely out and out favourites to win the series but West Indies are more than capable of pulling off an upset. This first T20I will be at the Brian Lara stadium. It will be the first time an international match will be played there. There is a chance that rain will play a part in the match just like it did in the 3rd ODI.

Also read: Takeaways from India's whitewash ODI series win over the West Indies