India’s tour of the Caribbean switches gears as they begin their World Test Championship campaign against the West Indies.
The West Indies have shown improved form in Test cricket at home and could be an early thorn in India’s side. Virat Kohli’s side will want to win the WTC and every point could be vital. With just two Tests in the series each match will carry 60 Test Championship points for a win, 30 for a tie and 20 for a draw.
Thursday 22 August – Monday 26 August 2019 | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua | 15:30
To Win Match
West Indies 9/2
Tie 11/2
India 1/3
West Indies
The West Indies have handed a maiden call-up to the physically imposing allrounder, Rakheem Cornwall, as they continue their rebuilding phase.
The core of this side have been the most consistent performers for the Windies over the last 18 months and hold the hopes of a Caribbean revival in their hands. They include skipper Jason Holder, batsmen Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite, all-rounder Roston Chase and quicks, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel.
The recent return to international cricket of Darren Bravo has reinforced the top order but it is still prone to being brittle and likely to collapse under pressure.
John Campbell is being given a run in the side but the opener is yet to really establish himself and he could be targeted as a weak link.
Shamarh Brooks is in the squad again having missed out on a debut against England but it seems as though he might have to wait a bit longer to break into the Test game.
India
India’s pace kingpin Jasprit Bumrah joins the tour for the first time having been rested for the white-ball stuff. The squad the tourists have picked suggests they expect pace-friendly conditions.
They bring five pacemen into the Test series including Navdeep Saini who made his T20I and ODI debuts on the tour. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is rested though showing off India’s pace riches. Bumrah is likely to lead the attack alongside Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav might be in the mix as well.
The strength of the batting of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin has been a boon to India, helping keep them at the top of the Test rankings. Kuldeep Yadav is also in the group but he may not crack the final XI with India to look for the perfect balance.
In 2016 India won the Test in Antigua by a crushing innings and 92 runs. Virat Kohli scored a double hundred and Ashwin scored his second Test century in a massive first-innings effort for India. They can expect a more penetrative West Indies attack this time around though, and the match should be an intriguing contest.
Verdict: India 1/3
India are becoming a very good side in seaming conditions as they have proved in South Africa, England and Australia. They should outgun the West Indies.
