'Don't take them lightly' - Aakash Chopra warns India to be cautious against West Indies in T20Is

After the end of what can be called a completely one-sided affair in the ODI format, India and West Indies will play the T20 matches next. India whitewashed West Indies in the three-match ODI series played in Ahmedabad. Kolkata will host the three T20 games starting from the 16th of February.

While the Windies had very little impact with the bat in the ODI matches, Aakash Chopra has opined that will change in the T20 games. He said that this is the format they specialize in and they have strikers deep down their batting order.

In a preview for the first match on his YouTube Channel, Chopra warned India to not take them lightly. "This team (West Indies) plays well according to the T20 format. They have all the required components. Their team is good, don't take them lightly at all because they have a lot of strikers. From No. 1 to No. 9, you get strikers, you get multi-skilled players," he said.

The former cricketer expected that Kieron Pollard, who missed the two ODI games, should return for the T20 matches. He will have to take the responsibility to lead the team from the front, said Chopra. He also predicted that Nicholas Pooran will complete the task for West Indies because T20 is his format. Chopra was also looking forward to seeing Dominic Drakes and Rovman Powell in the series.

Speaking of the players sold in the ITL mega auction, Chopra said they should not focus on it anymore. "The IPL auction is done and dusted. We thought Nicholas Pooran's price was going slightly down but it went in the other direction. Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, Odean Smith - everyone got a lot of money. They will have to perform here," he concluded.