WI vs IND: 1st Test preview – Team India kick starts race to Test Championship
After successfully mastering the T20I and ODI series, Team India now moves their Caribbean conquest to the longest format starting August 22. West Indies may have failed to impress so far, but it’s no secret that they have the potential to excel across formats. With the ICC World Test Championship offering 120 crucial points in two Tests, both teams will be eager to make an early impact in the race to the championship.
On paper, the Indian contingent certainly packs a punch with a mix of familiar and fresh faces in the squad. The exuberance of youth will add spice to an already powerful lineup. Jasprit Bumrah’s return to cricket will act as the much-needed boost. To sum it up, India have a ‘problem of plenty’ as far as selecting their playing XI goes. One they will be happy to address. Though, having played plenty of limited-overs cricket and no Test in the last eight months, the transition to Test cricket will be a bit challenging.
West Indies are relatively inexperienced but are already a much better Test side in the last couple of years thanks to their aggressive pace attack. It is now up to the promising batsmen in their ranks to stand up and deliver instead of overly relying on the seniors to do the hard yards. Their familiarity with the conditions at home gives the Windies a huge advantage of capitalising early on.
Read: WI vs IND: Five epic Test encounters from India’s tour of West Indies
Match info
West Indies vs India, 1st Test
North Sound (Sir Vivian Richards Stadium), Antigua – 07:00 PM IST
The last time West Indies played a Test at this venue, they won by 10 wickets (vs ENG, Jan 31-Feb 2, 2019)
Head-to-Head
Played – 96
West Indies wins – 30
India wins – 20
Draw – 46
West Indies have historically dominated India in Test cricket. In the 96 Test matches played between the two sides, they have claimed 30 victories, while India have managed to win 20. But the majority of encounters have ended in a draw. In the Caribbean, India have won only seven of the 49 Tests played, while the Windies have bagged 16.
Team News
West Indies (Recent form [Oldest first]: L L W W L)
If the recent nature of Caribbean pitches is anything to go by, West Indies stand to benefit largely from their three-pronged pace attack in Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and captain Jason Holder. But it is their batting order that is in dire need of inspiration. With the inclusion of veteran Darren Bravo, there couldn’t be a better time to shed all inhibitions and play with freedom. Since it’s a two-Test series, the hosts will probably consider playing the same eleven in both matches.
India (Recent form [Oldest first]: W W L W D)
Ajinkya Rahane or Rohit Sharma? Rishabh Pant or Wriddhiman Saha? These are some of the many dilemmas the Indian management will face leading up to the first Test. There could also be a surprise top order in play, though Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul are likely to be the designated openers for this series. Skipper Virat Kohli will also have to decide between picking two spinners and having a longish tail. There could be a toss-up between Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav for the third seamer’s slot.
Key Battles (All Tests since January 2015)
Virat Kohli vs Shannon Gabriel: 43 runs from 80 balls, 1 dismissal
Darren Bravo vs Ishant Sharma: 41 runs from 90 balls, 2 dismissals
Also read: Here’s everything you need to know about the ICC World Test Championship
Probable XI
West Indies: K Brathwaite, J Campbell, S Hope, D Bravo, S Hetmyer, R Chase, S Dowrich (WK), J Holder (C), S Gabriel, K Roach, R Cornwall/K Paul
India: M Agarwal, KL Rahul, C Pujara, V Kohli (C), R Sharma, H Vihari, W Saha/R Pant (WK), R Ashwin, J Bumrah, I Sharma, M Shami/U Yadav
Stat Attack
- R Ashwin needs 8 wickets to reach 350 wickets in Test cricket
- Jason Holder is 7 wickets short of 100 Test wickets for the West Indies
