WI v IND, 4th Test Preview: India aiming for whitewash

The fourth WI v IND Test match will be played at a venue that is certainly close to the heart of many West Indians familiar with the history of West Indies cricket. However, in spite of this, the Indians will be hoping to add a win to secure the World Number One ranking apart from securing their biggest series win in overseas conditions. Moreover, Jason Holder and his men will be doing everything they can to stop them from doing the same, something that would certainly make it an exciting encounter.

Pitch Conditions

As the curator said prior to the start of the match, the wicket would offer turn. Unlike the previous encounter where the St. Lucia wicket offered pace and purchase for the faster bowlers, it is now clear that there will certainly be a difference in the final match. This is almost certain to influence the team selection as well as the plans that need to be executed as far as most of the bowlers will be concerned.

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Team Analysis

West Indies

The WI v IND series has been a torrid one as far as the West Indies are concerned. In spite of showing signs of greatness with both bat and ball, the fact that they have been undone by a wonderful Indian side means that this series has been a failure as far as Phil Simmons and Jason Holder are concerned. However, at the moment, the West Indies will be hoping that they can pick up a win and save some face at Trinidad in the final Test.

As far as the team selection goes, it is clear that there will be a few changes. Devendra Bishoo is certain to make a comeback to the side although it is unclear which pacer will be removed from the side. Moreover, Holder will be hoping that his batsmen step up to the plate and make a difference.

India

In a direct contrast to the West Indies, it is clear that the Indians are on a high. With the World No. 1 ranking in sight, the job is clear as day for Virat Kohli and his men. A win in the match, irrespective of the margins would see them scale the summit, one of the targets set by newly incumbent coach Anil Kumble. With the batting and bowling in order and thriving on the balance that has been evident, an Indian win is most definitely on the cards.

The spotlight will certainly be on Ravi Ashwin as he aims to equal the record of becoming the fastest to 200 wickets in Test matches. Moreover, the Indians have been good with the ball as well in spite of a few blemishes in the past couple of matches. The final Test may well see the Indians rest a pacer and see Amit Mishra make a comeback to the side.

Also Read – I don’t put no wicket where bowler will kill the batsmen: Trinidad Curator

Playing XI (Probable)

West Indies: Jason Holder (C), Shane Dowrich (WK), Leon Johnson, Kraigg Brathwaite, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins/Devendra Bishoo

India: Virat Kohli (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay/Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami

StAttack

1. Roston Chase is the only West Indian player who has scored a century in the series.

2. Ravi Ashwin’s records are doing the talking for him at the moment. Should he reach 20 wickets in the series (he is currently on 16), he will join the elite club of players who have scored 2 centuries and taken 20 wickets in the same series.

3. Marlon Samuels requires 230 runs to complete 4000 Test runs. Kriagg Brathwaite also requires 146 runs to complete 2000 Test runs.

4. Ajinkya Rahane requires 138 runs to complete 2000 Test runs.

5. Ravi Ashwin requires 8 wickets to complete 200 Test match wickets. Should he complete the feat in the fourth Test at Port of Spain, he would have equaled the record set by Claire Grimmett, the South African bowler who remains to be the fastest to 200 Test wickets.

6. In 13 Test matches, Virat Kohli is well on his way to becoming India’s most successful Test match skipper. He boasts of 7 wins, 2 losses, and 4 draws. Moreover, all the draws the current Indian skipper has been a part of having been affected by rain except the fourth Test in Australia where Rahane saved the Test for the Indians.

7. The last time India played at this venue, it was in 2002 where they claimed a 37-run victory.