West Indies make the trip down to India for a limited-overs series comprising of three T20Is and three ODIs. This is the second time the teams will be facing each other in a bilateral this year, with India having travelled to the Caribbean right after the World Cup ended earlier this year.

The teams will complete the T20 series first and India clearly have the upper hand, having whitewashed the Windies 3-0 in the T20Is last time out. However, West Indies are no slouches themselves- they have won the T20 World Cup twice, the only team to do so, and have exciting young talent in their squad.

Having said that, let us have a look at which players are good enough from both teams to form a combined T20 XI: (Note: The XI comprises of players only part of the squad announced for the upcoming T20 series)

BREAKING : WEST INDIES ANNOUNCE ODI & T20I SQUADS AHEAD OF INDIA TOUR NEXT MONTH pic.twitter.com/4dti4LdAOD

�?Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) November 28, 2019

Top order: KL Rahul/Rohit Sharma/Virat Kohli (c)

The top three is an all-Indian list and there would hardly be any debate about this. Rohit Sharma has had the time of his life in 2o19, scoring five centuries at the World Cup before revelling in his new role as Test opener against South Africa. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, is simply class-apart and is arguably the best all-format batsman in the world currently.

KL Rahul boasts of a great record in T20s, and at the moment is the better opener in the shortest format instead of Shikhar Dhawan, who is out injured for the series anyway. He is also in a great form in domestic limited-overs tournaments and should open alongside Rohit in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2020.

Middle-order: Shreyas Iyer/Shimron Hetmyer/Nicholas Pooran (wk)/Kieron Pollard

Shreyas Iyer did more than enough in the recently-concluded Bangladesh T20s to make the no.4 spot his own in the Indian limited-overs set-up and he retains that same position in the combined XI.

Shimron Hetmyer makes it to the team on the basis of his sheer talent and unpredictability, and he is also helped by the fact that other middle-order options from India like Manish Pandey have not really done much of note in the opportunities they have got.

Nicholas Pooran, appointed vice-captain for the T20s, takes the gloves ahead of Rishabh Pant, who despite multiple chances, has not been all that impressive in the shorter formats. Kieron Pollard takes the all-rounder’s slot ahead of Shivam Dube simply because of his vast experience and proven capabilities in the international stage.

Bowlers: Jason Holder/Deepak Chahar/Yuzvendra Chahal/Sheldon Cottrell

Former Windies captain, Jason Holder comes in quite late at no.8 in the XI, considering he can hit the ball a long way and is quite an underrated T20 bowler. Deepak Chahar is an obvious choice in a T20 XI, with his recent exploits more than proving his case.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Sheldon Cottrell bring up the tail. Chahal is the lone spinner and while a case can be made for Kuldeep Yadav, he has been out of the limited-overs set-up since the World Cup and is making a comeback from injury anyhow. 

Cottrell enjoyed a decent World Cup outing and his ability to hit the deck hard can prove to be useful though he will need to be mindful of his lengths.

Feature Image courtesy: AFP / Randy Brooks

West Indies beat Afghanistan by 47 runs on Saturday to claim their first one-day series win in more than five years as their bowlers took control amid an invasion of moths.

Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase and Hayden Walsh each took three wickets as Kieron Pollard's side wrapped up the three-match series with a game to spare. Afghanistan have now lost 11 one-day internationals in a row.

Wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran hit 67 off 50 balls to put backbone in the West Indies innings.

Openers Shai Hope (43) and Evin Lewis (54) put on 98 for the first wicket but the batsmen then lost their way until Pooran's man-of-the-match fireworks that included three sixes and seven fours.

Pooran admitted it had been a "critical situation" when he came in. He helped take the score from 156-4 to 242-8.

The Afghanistan innings was overshadowed by tens of thousands of black moths and flies that took over the floodlit Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Dark clouds of insects rose up every time the ball hit a boundary rope and several West Indies fielders wore masks. The moths caused problems for bowlers and batsmen, and Pollard twice spoke to the umpires about the nuisance.

Image: AFP / Rohit Umrao

"I've never played with so many flies around," said the West Indies captain after the game. "Health is very important, so something's got to be done about that." The third and final one-day game is on Monday but there are T20 games and a Test to follow -- all in the same stadium.

Afghanistan lost Javed Ahmed in the opening over before Hazratullah Zazai (23) and Rahmat Shah (33) steadied in the innings. But easy wickets then fell before Najibullah Zadran (56) and Mohammad Nabi (32) put on 66 for the sixth wicket, hitting the insects for six.

No one else could keep up the pace after their departure. Captain Rashid Khan scored only two as the eighth man in.

"We recovered well, but couldn't finish it off," said Rashid. "The senior players did well, but we lost wickets in clusters." Walsh took three of the last four wickets to fall.

Pollard said it had been a great relief to finally win a one-day series for the first time since August 2014 when Bangladesh were the victims.

"I want to go back inside and celebrate with the guys. Winning is a habit and we need to enjoy ourselves but we will be playing to win again the day after tomorrow."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Rohit Umrao

West Indies�?paceman Sheldon Cottrell has been the talk of the town at the ongoing 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. However, it’s not his bowling that has made the headlines.

It’s the Jamaican’s, who also serves in the Army, celebration that has had everyone rooting for him this time. Cottrell’s ‘march and salute�?has been such a hit that fans, in the past few weeks, have taken to social media to show their appreciation and also share their version of the same.

And on Thursday, Indian pacer Mohammad Shami too joined the bandwagon as he was seen mimicking the celebration after Cottrell was dismissed during their group stage game at Old Trafford.

Mohamed Shami's Salute #ICCWC2019 #INDvsWI #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/4bCSv6moM0

�?Akshaykumar unni (@AkshaykumarUnni) June 28, 2019

This, however, didn’t go down well with a few fans and it was no surprise that they took to social media to make their voices heard.

Mohd Shami just mimicked Sheldon Cottrell's march-and-salute routine after his wicket, much to his teammates amusement.

It's part of his tribute to his country's armed forces, guys. Not cool, in my opinion. #CWC19 #INDvWI

�?ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) June 27, 2019

Celebration of wickets from Hardik & Shami is unacceptable! Never expecting this from Indians against West Indies that too Cottrell's Salute is loved by people all over the world & Hardik needs to get mature ‍♂�?#CWC19 #INDvWI #WhistleForIndia Couldn't be happier for de win!

�?Prince Nilmin (@Prince_nilmin) June 27, 2019

Mohd Shami mimicked Sheldon Cottrell's march-and-salute routine after his wicket.

It's part of his tribute to his country's armed forces, Imagine someone mocking Indian army after Dhoni's military insignia incident. Not cool!! #CWC19 #INDvWI

�?Saurabh Singh (@singhster_saub) June 28, 2019

Meanwhile, Cottrell chose to look at the lighter side of the issue and responded with a funny one-liner in Hindi.

Great fun! Great bowling. Nakal Karna Hi Sabse Badi Chaploosi Hai http://t.co/PTuoGJciM7

�?Sheldon Cotterell (@SaluteCotterell) June 28, 2019

It’s not been a tournament to remember for the Windies. With the side already out of the race for a place in the semifinals, the men from the Caribbean islands will be hoping to wrap up their time in England on a positive note when they face Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in their remaining two group games in the coming week.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @cricketworldcup

West Indies paceman Sheldon Cottrell has handed plenty of batsmen their marching orders at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and seen his unique celebration win an army of followers online.

A serving member of the Jamaica Defence Force, Cottrell's march and salute has been his trademark since bursting onto the international scene in 2013 and the distinct send-off has caught the imagination of fans at the World Cup.

The left-arm quick returned figures of 4-56 in his team's five-run loss to New Zealand on Saturday to take his tally for the tournament to nine.

He can catch, he can throw, he can bowl, and he can definitely celebrate ‍♂�?

Sheldon Cottrell was everywhere in the field for West Indies against New Zealand yesterday #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/0YW94NIfUi

�?Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 23, 2019

"It's a military-style salute. I'm a soldier by profession. Me saluting is just to show my respect to the Jamaica Defence Force," Cottrell told the BBC.

"I do it every time I get a wicket. I practised it for six months when I was training in the army," he said.

Among the many videos of the Cottrell imitation on Twitter, a clip of a young boy and girl copying the bowler's salute in a British street has gone viral.

It's the celebration that's taken over #CWC19!

Our Insider @Elmakapelma teaches fans the Sheldon Cottrell salute in Manchester.

How do you think they've done? pic.twitter.com/IGzXGFlMaO

�?Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 22, 2019

The person who shot the video of the young fans asked the paceman where he could buy a West Indies jersey with his name at the back.

Cottrell responded by inviting the youngsters to the West Indies' next match against India on Thursday but is concerned about them missing school for the clash at Old Trafford.

"I’m looking into it for you," Cottrell replied on Twitter. "Thanks for your support. Would like to invite you to the game in Manchester if your not already attending? #salute (it's a week day tho)."

Sheldon Cottrell’s salute is actually great - and for those still not sure, here he is teaching some school kids in Nottingham how to do it. Good on him pic.twitter.com/lwtDVRDran

�?Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) June 6, 2019

However, not everyone is a fan of Cottrell's flamboyance, with England coach Trevor Bayliss telling ESPN Cricinfo it annoys older cricket-watchers.

West Indies players have always been synonymous with innovative celebratory styles.

The Darren Sammy-led side celebrated their World Twenty20 title win with a trademark "Champion Dance" in 2016 just as the 'Gangnam-Style' dance was used during their first T20 triumph in 2012.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @wiplayers

Nathan Coulter-Nile hit 92, the highest score by a number eight batsman in World Cup history, as champions Australia staged a remarkable rally against the West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Australia were in dire straits at 38 for four following an aggressive start by the West Indies' quicks.

But they finished on 288 all out after former captain Steve Smith (73), who put on 102 for the seventh wicket with Coulter-Nile, began the repair job.

"It was the sort of wicket where you have to take your time and get used to the bounce. Some balls seemed to rear up and the short balls felt really quick. I don't know if it's the pitch or their bowlers," said Coulter-Nile, who was dropped on 61 by Shimron Hetmyer.

The West Indies had bounced out Pakistan for just 105 when winning their tournament opener at Nottinghamshire's headquarters last week and adopted similar tactics after captain Jason Holder won the toss on a sunny day.

Oshane Thomas struck first when Australia captain Aaron Finch (six) was caught behind off a lifting delivery.

David Warner (three) was then caught at backward point off Sheldon Cottrell that saw the left-arm quick -- still a member of the Jamaica Defence Force -- celebrate with his trademark salute.

Australia were now 21 for two, with boos ringing out as Warner walked off and Smith walked on -- a now familiar response by crowds in England to the pair having only recently returned from year-long bans for their part in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. 

- Coulter-Nile cashes in -

Usman Khawaja was twice hit on the body on Thursday before he edged an edge off Andre Russell was brilliantly caught one-handed by diving wicket-keeper Shai Hope.

Australia's 36 for three was quickly transformed into 38 for four when Glenn Maxwell was out for a second-ball duck, a top-edged skyed hook off a Cottrell bouncer comfortably held by Hope.

Left-hander Alex Carey (45) gave Smith some sound support in a stand of 68 before he was caught behind off Russell.

Smith had a lucky break, on 26, he top-edged a hook off West Indies captain Jason Holder only for Cottrell at long leg to slip and fall over as he eyed a catch. 

His patient innings ended when he flicked Thomas high towards deep backward square only for Cottrell, skirting the boundary, to grab the ball one-handed, throw it back into the field of play as he stepped over the rope -- thereby avoiding a six -- and complete a sensational catch without touching the rope.

But Coulter-Nile cashed in as he surpassed his previous international best of 34.

His blistering assault off 60 balls featuring eight fours and four sixes also saw him beat former Zimbabwe international Heath Streak's previous World Cup best by a No 8 of 72.

But in sight of the all-time one-day international high score by a No 8 -- 95 not out by England's Chris Woakes -- he drove Carlos Brathwaite to Holder at long-off.

Photo Credits: AFP Photo/ Paul Ellis