WI v IND, 2nd Test Preview: Windies aim for redemption in Jamaica

After a heavy defeat in the first Test of the West Indies v India series, the Windies will be seeking redemption against the Indians as they aim to make a mark in the second Test at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. Although the West Indies have a decent record at this venue, the last two encounters between these two sides have seen the Indians claiming a victory on both occasions. That said, a mouthwatering encounter is certainly on the cards as these two sides face-off against each other in the second Test.

Pitch Conditions

Although Sabina Park had the reputation of being one of the quickest wickets in the world at one point, it has considerably slowed down since then. The fact of the matter remains to be that some of the West Indies’ best pace bowlers are produced in Jamaica. The wicket is expected to assist spinners with Amit Mishra, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Devendra Bishoo hoping to make the most out of the conditions that they thrive in. Although humidity is expected to play a massive role in proceedings, the sunshine should be good enough to have a good game of cricket.

Team Analysis

West Indies

Licking their wounds from the loss in the first Test against India, the West Indies will certainly be hoping for a better showing in the second Test at Jamaica. What will add to the confidence of the Windies players is the fact that they have had a good record over the years at Sabina Park. With Devendra Bishoo and Roston Chase making their way into the squad in spite of the failures of the first Test, it will certainly make things a lot easier for Jason Holder as he aims to draw level with the Indians in the overall outset of the series.

While the spotlight will be on the spinners, one player who will have an extended run in the limelight will be starlet Alzarri Joseph. The 19-year old pacer had impressed one and all when he had showcased his ability to clock high speeds. His impressive showing in the domestic circuit has finally prompted the selectors to put aside the fact that he is extremely young to select him into the side, thus keeping one eye on the future.

India

In contrast to the West Indies, the morale in the Indian camp is perhaps as high as it has ever been. It has perhaps been a few years since there has been a complete performance from an Indian side in a Test match. As far as the team news is concerned, India may have been dealt a blow following the injury to opening batsman Murali Vijay. However, although the Indian camp has not yet confirmed the ruling out of Vijay, 24-year old KL Rahul may get his chance ahead of Vijay in the second Test.

This time, the spotlight is on Ravichandran Ashwin. The 29-year old provided the Indian team with perhaps one of the most complete performances one could ever witness in cricket as he smashed a century with the bat and spun the Windies into a web as he concluded with figures of 7/83 in the second innings.

Probable XI:

West Indies:

Jason Holder (C), Shane Dowrish (wk), Kraigg Brathwaite, Rajendra Chandrika, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph/ Shannon Gabriel

India:

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

StAttack:

1. Kraigg Brathwaite requires 238 runs to complete 2000 runs in Test cricket.

2. Devendra Bishoo is the only player in the West Indies side to have taken more than 50 wickets in Test matches.

3. Virat Kohli requires 8 runs to cross Navjot Singh Sidhu on the highest run-scorers list for India in Test matches.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin requires 17 wickets to complete 200 wickets in Test matches. Should he achieve this feat within the next two Test matches, he will become the fastest to 200 Test match wickets.

5. If India clinches this series, they will win their third Test series on the spin. MS Dhoni is the only other Indian skipper to achieve this feat after just having been appointed as the skipper of the Indian Test team.

6. Although Sabina Park in Kingston is a happy hunting ground for the West Indies, the Indians have clinched the last two encounters between the two at this venue.