WI v Ind, 1st Test Preview: Rejuvenated Indians aim for a fresh start

The much-anticipated West Indies vs India Test series will get underway with the Indians playing their first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. If history has any significance here, the Indians have won each of the last five series between the two sides. However, with the West Indies also making a stake in the recent past, a feisty encounter is certainly on the cards as these two sides meet each other in what will be the first of the four-match Test series.

Pitch Conditions:

Having been inaugurated in 2006, the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has played host to a few memorable Test matches. Although rain is forecast, the humidity and the temperature for the match is expected to be perfect for a game of cricket. The wicket typically has been helpful towards spinners and patient batsmen. In a nutshell, it will certainly be the survival of the fittest.

Team Analysis-

West Indies:

In spite of the recent turmoil in the cricketing world for the Caribbean islands, the West Indies have claimed a spot for themselves of late. With the World T20 title under their belt, the Windies also made a name for themselves in the recently concluded ODI Tri-nation series with some marvelous performances against the mighty Australians and South Africans.

Although Jason Holder has proved himself to be a worthy skipper, he will be leading a bunch of young guns with a relatively inexperienced squad named for the first Test. With a plethora of stars and youngsters on show, the spotlight will be well and truly on Devendra Bishoo. The leg-spinner will certainly be hoping to make a mark in what has been a relatively intermittent Test career thus far.

Also read – Statistical preview of the West Indies v India, Test Series

India:

Although 2016 would not have gone according to plan for most of the Indian players, they seem to be turning over a new leaf with newly appointed coach Anil Kumble. The core of the team, however, remains very much the same with the exception of a new face or two in the side.

Irrespective of the new coach, the Indians will be hoping to replicate the similar cutting-edge and killer instinct they had previously shown in the series against South Africa at home. While most eyeballs will be focused on India’s charismatic skipper, the Indian team management will have their focus on Cheteshwar Pujara following the latter’s poor run of form in the recent past.

Probable XI-

West Indies:

Jason Holder (C), Shane Dowrich (WK), Kraigg Brathwaite, Rajendra Chandrika, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Leon Johnson, Jermaine Blackwood, Shannon Gabriel, Carlos Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo

India:

Virat Kohli (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav

Also read – West Indies v India, 1st Test: India Probable XI

StAttack:

1. India has won the last five Test series against the West Indies. However, West Indies lead the head-to-head against their counterparts 12-7.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin is the highest wicket-taker for India against the West Indies with 34 wickets to his name.

3. Darren Bravo requires 12 runs to complete 3000 runs in Test cricket. His counterpart Virat Kohli however, requires just six runs to complete 3000 runs.

4. Ishant Sharma is perhaps the most experienced bowler between the two sides and boasts of 201 wickets in the 69 Test matches he has featured in.

5. The West Indies have never lost a Test match at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium having played four matches and won one. Interestingly, India has never played a Test match at this venue before.