India vs Windies 2019: SWOT analysis of India's T20I squad

India have been extremely clinical, dominating and frankly in a league above South Africa and Bangladesh in their recent tours of the country. Bangladesh had a forgettable tour despite winning the first T20I convincingly. Post that it's all been downhill with India beating them hands down.

The second Test match between India and Bangladesh was a historic game as it was the first time India hosted a Pink ball Test. With Sourav Ganguly at the helm of things as the president of the BCCI, he left no stone unturned to ensure success. The overall efficiency and conviction with which the match was converted into a visual experience was extremely heartening to see.

Well ahead of other teams in the ICC World Test championship, team India now shift focus to attaining glory in the ICC World T20 to be played in Australia next year. Virat Kohli's men, ranked at #5 in the T20I rankings, will want to ensure they get all the resources and get their combinations right as they inch closer to the mega event. That said, we take a closer look at the team for the upcoming T20I series.

Strengths

Virat Kohli's returns to the T20i side

India undoubtedly will be on a high after their comeback from 0-1 down to defeat Bangladesh 2-1 in their last T20I series. The manner in which their bowlers, under immense pressure in the third T20I, pulled off a memorable performance (Deepak Chahar ended with figures of 6-7) shows us that this team can hold their own even in high pressure situations.

Another big strength for this team is their batting. With the likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey one can see a solid core being built and worked on keeping the World T20 in mind. There are serious doubts on Shikhar Dhawan's inclusion in the team considering his returns in 2019 in T20Is. With him being ruled out of this series, it gives KL Rahul the perfect occasion to seal the openers slot for the World T20 with some commanding performances.

India's batting will be further bolstered by the return of their regular skipper Virat Kohli. He was rested for the T20Is against Bangladesh, but he is back against the Windies and will certainly makes things more challenging for the visitors.

Weaknesses

Can Mohammed Shami replicate his red ball form in the T20Is?

India's biggest weakness would be their bowling for this series against West Indies. Apart from Deepak Chahar and Washington Sundar who have been fairly regular in T20Is recently and are in good form, the other choices evoke less confidence.

The bowling lineup comprises of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Shivam Dube with his medium pacers can chip in with a few overs. While the quality and potential of these bowlers is not being questioned, its their match fitness and confidence.

Shami has been drafted into the T20I side based on his recent exploits in red ball cricket where he has been brutal and menacing. But can this form translate into good returns in T20Is? Since India are looking for options to compliment Jasprit Bumrah and Deepak Chahar for the World T20, can Shami be the third seamer?

Also, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav will be playing for India after a long gap owing to injuries and poor form respectively. It has to be seen if they can come in and dominate against West Indies. They have some fearless batsmen who can take the game away in a span of few balls.

It has to be seen how the returning players would perform. India would certainly hope that this uncertainty regarding the performance of their bowlers which is a visible weakness now gets converted into a strength by the end of the three match T20I series.

Opportunities

Shivam Dube would want to impress in Hardik Pandya's absence

Someone's loss is another person's gain. That is what Sanju Samson would be feeling now. He was left out of the team initially for the series against West Indies, but an injury to Shikhar Dhawan made sure that he's back in the team. Will the selectors and team management's fixation of continuously backing Rishabh Pant despite some ordinary performances continue?

This series is probably the last throw of the dice for Rishabh Pant. He knows very well that Sanju Samson is breathing down his neck and with KL Rahul's excellent run of form as a batsman and wicket-keeper for Karnataka in the Syed Musthaq Ali trophy, Pant is not going to be the default option for the wicket-keeper's slot anymore.

These three games will hopefully see the likes of Sanju Samson being tried out and being given a chance to impress. Also, with Hardik Pandya yet to regain full fitness, this series gives Shivam Dube a great chance to impress the selectors with the bat and ball. He had a good outing in the third T20I against Bangladesh and would want to continue his good run.

Threats

Kieron Pollard is capable of taking the game away from the opposition

West Indies pose a huge threat to India, especially in the T20 format. Yes, they were humbled 2-1 by Afghanistan recently at Lucknow but one can't take them lightly. Their team for this T20I series comprises of some proven match-winners in T20 cricket who have lots of experience.

Many players are veterans in the IPL and have a lot of experience playing with some of India's match-winners. Players like Lendl Simmons and skipper Kieron Pollard have played a lot of cricket under Rohit Sharma for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. This experience can be used against Rohit when the two teams face off.

Windies play a brand of cricket that is fearless and entertaining, making them very dangerous. They will be looking to put the Indian bowlers under pressure right from the word go.

If Windies get on a roll and play to their potential, then they could pose a huge threat to India in the upcoming T20I series starting from December 6th, 2019.