5 records at stake when India takes on Windies in T20I series

The three-match T20I series between India and Windies starts tomorrow with the first match scheduled to be played at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It is the same venue where the visitors thrashed India in the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final to advance to the finals and went on to lift the trophy. Although the Men in Blue have registered an easy and convincing series win in Test and ODIs, the shortest format series is going to be a little tougher for the hosts.

The T20I World Champions, Windies, have a much better win record when it comes to the shortest format. While India misses out the experience of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, the visitors would be boosted with the return of T20 specialists in the likes of Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite and Darren Bravo.

So, while a competitive series is about to begin, let’s have a look at the five records which can be possibly broken –

1. The first T20I series win over West Indies since 2011

India might have grabbed both the Test series and ODI series easily, but the recent records in the shortest format of the game tell a different story. The Men in Blue have faced defeat in the last four encounters. Also, this will be the first bilateral series in the sub-continent and India would be eyeing to carry their momentum and register their first T20I series win over the visitors. Here’s a look at past encounters-

• Only T20I: West Indies v India at Port of Spain – Jun 4, 2011 – India won by 16 runs
• 1st T20I, at Lauderhill, Florida – Aug 27 2016 – Windies won by 1 run
• 2nd T20I, at Lauderhill, Florida – Aug 28 2016 – No result
• Only T20I, at Kingston, Jul 9 2017 – West Indies won by 9 wickets

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2. Rohit Sharma can become the highest runs scorer in T20Is

In the list of highest run scores in T20Is, Rohit Sharma stands fifth with 2086 runs scored with an average of 32.19 in 77 innings out of 84 matches. Martin Guptill tops the list with 2271 runs scored with an average of 34.40 in 73 innings out of 75 matches. Rohit Sharma requires 185 runs in three matches to become the highest run scorer in T02Is. And, with the form he is currently playing, it will be no surprise to see him at top of the list.

3. Shikhar Dhawan needs 23 runs to complete 1000 T20I runs

Although team India’s Gabbar, Shikhar Dhawan, failed to carry his Asia Cup form in the recently concluded ODI series, he is just 23 runs short of reaching the milestone of 1000 T20I runs for India. Shikhar Dhawan has scored 977 runs in 40 innings at a strike rate almost 130.

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4. Rohit Sharma needs 11 sixes to complete 100 T20I sixes

As he completed 200 ODI sixes for India during his unbeaten 63 runs knock at Thiruvananthapuram and became only the second Indian batsman after MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma needs just 11 maximums to complete 100 T20I sixes; a feat which is certain to be achieved.

5. Jasprit Bumrah seven wickets away to complete 50 T20I wickets

Team India’s death bowling specialist, Jasprit Bumrah has 43 wickets in his bag and is seven wickets away from completing 50 dismissals in T20Is. If he manages to complete this feat, he will become the fastest Indian to reach the milestone. He has bagged 43 wickets in just 35 games with an outstanding economy of 6.79.

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