WI vs IND 2019: India's ideal middle-order for the first T20I

Amidst all the talks of the Ashes, Team India is set to begin their campaign against West Indies from 3rd August after World Cup 2019. The tour is the first step for the preparation for the next big event – T20 World Cup.

The 'Men in Blue' will play three T20I matches, 3 matches of the 50-over format, and two matches in the whites. The first two T-20 International matches will be held in the United States of America and the third one in Guyana.

Whilst the top three – Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli are almost fixed, the middle order (4-6) is uncertain. Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey have got an opportunity to impress the selectors while the wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will look to cement his spot in MS Dhoni's absence. Here, we discuss the ideal middle-order for India in the shortest format of the game.

---

#1 Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, who has been knocking the door of selection in the senior team, has finally got the opportunity. Although Iyer is not the best suited for T20s which is evident by his strike rate of less than 120 in IPL 2019, the team management can try him at number four where he averages about 30 with a strike-rate of 129 in the IPL. His highest IPL score of 96* also came when he batted no.4.

India will play two matches in the USA where spinners get help. Iyer is a good player of spin and decent batsman of pace. The right-handed batsman from Mumbai has already represented India in the newest format of the game but has had a horror run. The 24-year-old averages less than 17 with a poor strike rate of 103 in six matches.

Iyer, who is the skipper of Delhi Capitals, will try his best to make his case stronger for a middle-order option in ODIs which will suit his natural gameplay.

#2 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey, the captain of India A, is a very good option at number five for Kohli's army. Pandey made his T20I debut in 2015, and has 328 runs under his belt with an average of 82 at number five in T20 Internationals. The 29-year-old has performed at his best at the same position in the Indian Premier League. He has an average of 35 at number 5, in 8 innings in the IPL.

Pandey's performance in the twelfth edition of the IPL must boost the confidence of the Indian fans. Pandey accumulated 344 runs in 11 innings for the Sunrisers Hyderabad with an excellent average of 43 and a strike rate of over 130 in the IPL.

The right-handed batsman is equally good against pace and spin. Pandey is a reliable and technically sound batsman. But, can he strike at 140+ when required is the big question? He will also look to make his case strong for ODIs like Shreyas Iyer.

#3 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

The young talent in town, Rishabh Pant is yet to showcase his IPL heroics on the international stage. Playing for Delhi Capitals (earlier Delhi Daredevils), the wicketkeeper-batsman amassed 1538 runs with an average of more than 37 in his IPL career. The southpaw has scored 10 fifties and one century, and struck at more than 160 in every edition of the Indian Premier League since 2017.

However, his performances in T20Is have been mediocre. The Uttarakhand-born youngster averages less than 20 and has a strike-rate of about 120 in 14 innings.

There is no doubt about his skills and capability. He is expected to perform at the highest level sooner or later. T20 is the most suitable format for the 21-year-old Pant and he should be looked as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman for next year's World T20.

With no MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya in the squad, the Indian team will bank on Rishabh Pant for the finishing duties.