IND vs WI, Ist T20: India's Predicted Playing XI Against Windies

Keeping in mind the ICC T20 World Cup next year, the Indian selectors have roped in a couple of budding talents with an aim to give them an exposure at the highest level and unleash their potential.  

Virat Kohli-led team India will take on West Indies in the first of the 3-match T20 series at Lauderhill in Florida later in the evening. The T20 series is the opening leg of India's month long tour of the West Indies  which will also see Kohli and Co. rub shoulders against the 'Maroon Brigade' in 3 ODIs and 2 Tests.

Both India and the Windies would look to start a fresh after their campaigns at the ICC World Cup ended in contrasting fortunes. While the Windies could not make it to the last four stage of the tournament, India topped the round robin stage to secure a semi-final spot but eventually lost to New Zealand in the semis. India's T20 team has a fresh look and is an ideal blend of experience and youth. While the team comprises of some established stalwarts in  Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar; there is a great opportunity for the youngsters like Rishabh Pant and Manish Pandey to establish a mark for themselves in the international arena. Keeping in mind the ICC T20 World Cup next year, the selectors have roped in a couple of budding talents like Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar and Rahul Chahar with an aim to give them an exposure at the highest level and unleash their potential. There is a new lease of life for Rishabh Pant and Manish Pandey who have been pretty up and down with their performances in the shortest format. So here is a look at India's Predicted Playing Eleven against the West Indies for the 1st T20 international -  Openers  Rohit Sharma  - Rohit Sharma will be back at what he does best, opening the innings for India . The swashbuckling stroke-maker was India's highest run scorer in the recently concluded 2019 ICC World Cup and will hope to carry on his purple patch with the bat against the Windies. The 'Hitman' has been prolific against the Windies in the T20 format, amassing over 300 runs and notching up a ton. Shikhar Dhawan - Shikhar Dhawan would be raring to get on with his opening act against the Windies after missing out on a fair number of games in the 2019 ICC World Cup due to sustaining a . The left-hander would look to provide the opening salvo up the order and set the pace with his seasoned opening partner Rohit Sharma. The southpaw was in pretty decent form in the IPL with Delhi Capitals.

MIDDLE ORDER Virat Kohli - Virat Kohli will be back to spearheading India's middle order at Number 3. The Prolific Run Scorer has been the lynch pin of the batting unit and would once again look to be the gluing factor which can bind together a strong Indian middle order. In addition, he would once again don the captain's role to steer India's ship against an unpredictable and dangerous Windies outfit. KL Rahul - The attractive stroke-maker has been one of India's game changers in the shorter format of the game. Rahul has played some whirlwind knocks in T20s for India. He comes into the series high on confidence the back of yet another stellar season for Kings Eleven Punjab. Rahul has enjoyed success against the Windies, notching up a match winning ton Manish Pandey - After being shuffled up and down in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s middle-order, Manish Pandey was finally given a long run to bat  up the order at number 3 and the move paid rich dividends. He scored consistently and at a rapid pace and this is what the Indian team would want from their middle order. Rishabh Pant - Pant will look to excel in his role as an aggressor down the order and help the team step up the towards the end of the innings. The hard hitting wicket-keeper batsman has the shots in his armory to play some absolute blinders and take the game away from the opposition. With no MS Dhoni , Pant will be India's front-line wicket-keeper for the T20 series and would look to be clinical in his as as gloves man.

SPINNERS  Rahul Chahar The selectors have reposed faith in Rahul Chahar as the only wrist-spinner in the T20 squad and this is the chance for the young man to show his pedigree. He was impressive for Mumbai Indians in the IPL this season. A debut is expected for the young man.

Krunal Pandya Krunal Pandya gets back into the scheme of things for India in T20 cricket . The handy all-rounder is a dangerous hitter with the bat and can chip in with wickets courtesy his accurate off spin.

In the absence of his brother Hardik, Pandya will add variety to the Indian attack by taking the role of the second spinner . Pandya also add value to the team with his superlative fielding. SEAMERS

Khaleel Ahmed - The left arm seamer might get the nod in the playing eleven as he brings in that much required in the seam attack. Ahmed gets back into the Indian team on the back of some splendid performances in the IPL and India A . Bhuvneshwar Kumar - Bhuvneshwarwill be leading India's pace attack in the T20 series in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. 'Bhuvi' will be India's go to man for picking up wickets with the new ball as well as chocking the run flow towards the death of the innings. With his prodigious swing, Bhuvi could be lethal if there are seaming conditions on offer Deepak Chahar - Deepak Chahar is one of the pacers along with Navdeep Saini, whom the selectors have reposed faith in with a vision for the future. The seamer was in mesmerizing form with the new ball for CSK in the IPL 2019  and caught the attention of the selectors for his ability to swing the ball away from nagging lengths. Chahar would be looking to make some early inroads for the Indian team