West Indies v India Test Series : Top 5 Hits and misses

The recently concluded West Indies v India series saw many hits and misses. While the final memories of the series were indeed well and truly clouded by rains, it was clear that the Indians were left at the altar when it came to the world number one ranking. However, the fact of the matter remained that they had an overseas tour win under their belts and had also clinched a 2-0 win for perhaps the first time in their history against the West Indies. That said, here are the top 5 hits and misses in the recently concluded series.

Miss – Rain denies India the number one ranking

Rain and the wet outfield in the final Test match at Port of Spain was something that was not planned by anyone. Moreover, a lot of people associated with the wet outfield in any way shape or form have been at the receiving end of a massive amount of flak for the same.

However, the fact of the matter remains that the Indians were left terribly heartbroken by having their number one ranking taken away from their grasp by Pakistan. Moreover, the fact that they could do nothing about it rubbed salt in their wounds.

The third and fourth day showed a terrible scene where certain parts of the ground were being dug up in order to allow the rainwater collected to evaporate. This eventually meant that the match quite effectively came to an abrupt and sad end.

Hit – Roston Chase lights up Jamaica

Although this match was also affected by some torrential downpour, it was clear that a win in the second Test match at Jamaica would be a bridge too far for the Indians. This also proved to be a historical moment for many as this was the first time in 15 years that there was a drawn Test at Sabina Park.

Although roughly one day was lost to rain, the West Indies were still looking down the barrel at another demoralizing loss. If the Indians had to win, it would have to be an innings victory. Enter Roston Chase. Playing in only his second Test match, Chase’s job was crystal clear.

He not only stalled the Indians but came up with some fantastic strokes as he smashed his way to a fine maiden Test match century. Chase was joined by Jermaine Blackwood and Shane Dowrich as he made an instant impact.

Hit – Ravi Ashwin makes it another century

Ravi Ashwin has a very well-documented affection for the West Indies bowlers. It would almost seem as though each time he faces up to them, he almost always smashes a century. However, the third Test was something that saw him bat and scores a ton under intense pressure.

While he had already made headlines with a century in the first Test, it was clear that this century was an impressive addition to his inventory of centuries. This century came when the Indians were in a precarious position early on in the first day’s play at St. Lucia.

Ashwin smashed 118 and was supported by Wriddhiman Saha as they stitched an important partnership in the context of the match. In spite of the rain, the Indians went on to clinch a victory, once again on the final day of the match to go 2-0 up in the series.

Hit – Virat Kohli sets up the tournament

Each time Virat Kohli heads out to bat, you can almost always expect him to perform. Sure enough, in the first Test at Antigua, Kohli played a captain’s innings and scored his first ever double century in Test match cricket. Ironically, he had not scored a double century in any innings in his entire cricketing life until that point.

Kohli exhibited some awesome form as he dispatched some fantastic cover drives and pulls, something that eventually saw him complete his ton as well as continue further on to complete the double century as well.

However, since his performance in the first Test, it was clear that his form was on the downward spiral in the following few matches. He managed just 36 runs in the next few innings in spite of the Indians completing the series win before the final Test.

Miss – Shannon Gabriel’s version of chin music

Shannon Gabriel was West Indies’ best bowler by a country mile. His pace and swing and ability to trouble the Indian batsmen with the shirt-pitched delivery were something that ensured that the Indians did not have it as easy as they would have liked.

Gabriel then went on to impress one and all with some spectacular bowling, impressing Joel Garner who was seated in the West Indies dressing room. Gabriel was joined by Miguel Cummins who impressed with his pace and swing.

However, the miss was the fact that Jason Holder did not give him the ball as much as he would have liked and also coupled with the fact that he did not test the batsmen as much as he would have liked.