IND vs WI Preview: West Indies, at home in Kolkata, stand between India and semifinal

IND vs WI Preview, T20 World Cup: India are facing West Indies in a virtual knockout. Windies feel at home in Eden Gardens, having played two of their fixtures at the ground already. And they also have that one fond memory of 2016, where they beat England in the final of the tournament to clinch their second T20 World Cup.

India's walk out of their dressing room feels pensive. There is a sense of urgency as they step onto the ground and settle into their rhythm at Eden Gardens, only 24 hours before their virtual knockout against West Indies. The team, spread across five nets in Kolkata, is focused on individual processes.

After their warm-ups, Axar Patel is hitting nonchalant shots off Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar. Ishan Kishan is settling into his stride against Mohammed Siraj, while Abhishek Sharma is having a go at the net bowlers. Two others – Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy – are stationed far away, training on their own, sharpening their skills in isolation. Bumrah had some intense training ahead of the Windies clash. (Photo: PTI)

The Indian team was jolted by a personal loss a day earlier, when Rinku Singh's father passed away in Greater Noida after battling Stage IV liver cancer. Rinku, who often forms the heart of the team wherever he goes, has flown to Aligarh to perform the last rites of Khandchand Singh.

When a figure like that leaves the group, the air weighs heavy. Even the usually jovial Arshdeep Singh is training alone. He is stationed along the boundary line, taking catching practice from T Dilip, the fielding coach of the Indian team.

But there is perhaps no time to dwell on any of that. That is the nature of professional sport. It is merciless on the field and off it as well. So the Indian team looked switched on throughout their session, in sharp contrast to West Indies, who had trained at the venue earlier.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the press and provided a glimpse of India's mindset.