WI vs IND: 2nd Test Preview – India aim for a clean sweep
India’s tour of West Indies started off in style for the visitors, as they clinched a victory in the first of the two Tests on just the third day. Having won the first Test by an innings and 141 runs, the Rohit Sharma-led side will be eager to clinch a win in the second game and script a series whitewash. The hosts, on the other hand, will be aiming to level the series 1-1.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravichandran Ashwin were the top performers for the Indian side. While Jaiswal put up a solid performance with the bat, racking up his maiden international century in his first-ever outing, veteran Ashwin finished with a total of 12 wickets from two innings. Rohit Sharma too notched up his 10th Test ton, while Virat Kohli scored a half-century.
As for the Windies, Alick Athanaze was the standout performer as he kept the team’s hopes alive with his batting prowess. The hosts had a fallout in the first game and would be hoping to learn from their mistakes so as to make a comeback in the forthcoming game.
Pitch Conditions
This will be the first time since 2016 that the Queen’s Park Oval is hosting a game of Test. The last Test played at this venue was between India and West Indies too, but the game eventually ended in a stalemate after rain played spoilsport. The pacers play a key role on this surface and hence, the new-ball bowlers will be the ones to watch out for. Spinners will have a role to play once the game progresses.
Venue details: Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
Last Test match at the venue: WI vs IND- No result
Here’s the probable playing XI for West Indies vs India clash:
West Indies
The hosts called up uncapped spinner Kevin Sinclair for the second Test, and the youngster might as well get a chance to make his debut.
Probable XI: Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva(w), Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Kevin Sinclair, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
India
Team India are likely to go ahead with the winning combination so as to keep the momentum going. The top performers of the first game will be the ones to watch out for, while the team will expect youngsters Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan to do well.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur
