WI vs IND: Records in sight for Captain Kohli and Spin duo

India kicks off their World Test Championship campaign with a two-match Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean. After the heart-breaking exit from the 2019 World Cup, the semifinalists defeated West Indians 3-0 in T20Is and 2-0 in ODIs. Virat Kohli and his men will be gunning to complete the whitewash by picking two wins in the Test series.  Apart from the WTC incentive, there are a few major records that the Indians can surpass with an excellent showing in the mini-series. Here’s the list:

India’s most successful Test captain

If Kohli wants to take a rest from breaking batting records, he can aim for a leadership milestone. Captaining the Test side since 2014, the Delhi-batsman has appeared at the coin toss 46 times for India. He has endured 10 losses and drawn 10 games but has emerged victorious on 26 occasions. He is now just one win away from equalling MS Dhoni’s record in Test cricket.

Dhoni leading India in 60 Test matches, finished with 26 victories while there were 18 losses and 15 draws. As of now, he is the most successful Indian Test captain. Kohli can go past him with two victories in this Test series.

Also read: WI vs IND: 1st Test preview – Team India kick starts race to Test Championship

Race to 350

India’s ace off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin has a wonderful opportunity to strengthen his Test legacy. Currently, the Tamil Nadu spinner has taken 342 scalps in 65 Tests. If he manages to take 8 wickets in the first Test, Ashwin will match Muttiah Muralitharan’s feat of being the fastest to 350 Test wickets. The Sri Lankan spin-magician reached there in 66 Tests.

If Ashwin misses the mark in the first Test, he will have three more chances to become the second-fastest. New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee and South Africa’s Dale Steyn completed 350 wickets in 69 Test matches. In previous four Tests that Ashwin has played in West Indies, he has snapped 17 wickets in 7 innings.

Jadeja eyes a double ton

Ashwin’s spin partner, Ravindra Jadeja is also nearing a milestone. The left-arm spinner from Saurashtra has bagged 192 wickets from 41 Tests. He will complete his double century if he records 8 more scalps. Jadeja is also likely to become the second-fastest Indian spinner to this achievement with Harbhajan Singh placed at 46 Tests to take 200 wickets. The 30-year old shall become the 10th Indian bowler to achieve this feat.