The bowler, who first announced his T20I debut at M Chinnaswamy in 2022, steps back into the squad after a four‑year hiatus—his homecoming feels like a full circle.
Shreyas Iyer, at the toss, confirmed two fresh faces: Shivam Dube and Bhuvneshwar. He said, “Quick turnaround. The wicket looks pretty good. We just have to be aggressive, not get pressed too much.”
West Indies skipper Shai Hope, after winning the toss, opted to bowl first, citing the pitch and the rain‑cut format. He added, “We tend to have a lot of batters. Focus is on bowling, it’s a shortened game.”
With Arshdeep Singh sidelined by injury, India’s lineup now features a veteran seam attack that could swing the balance in a nine‑over sprint. The stakes are higher than ever: a win clinches the series, a loss leaves the series unfinished and humbles the hosts.