Timid Windies And India Begin First Test Wednesday In Dominica

By Ravendra Madholall
Number-one ranked India in the Caribbean for their multi-format series against timid West Indies and will commence with the game’s longest version on Wednesday in Dominica.

The two-match test series is highly anticipated to be dominated by the Indians alluding to the fact that West Indies are significantly down the rankings by far at 8.

They are set to compete in three one-days and subsequently five T20s as well.

No doubt the Indians will be brimming with immense confidence to open things on a winning note.

Their eminent batsman Virat Kholi is expected to lead from the front along with skipper Rohit Sharma, two experienced campaigners, too.

West Indies’ selectors have shown faith in the bowling department persisting with two veterans: Kemar Raoch and Shannon Gabriel, both fast-bowlers.

Apart from Roach and Gabriel, the dynamic Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph and Raymond Reifer will add more pace, another manifestation that West Indies have the reliability on the fast-men to do the trick. Left-arm orthodox spinner Jomel Warrican and off-spinner Rakheem Cornwall are the two specialist slow-bowlers.

The batting will hinge around skipper and opener Kraigg Barathwaite and his opening partner Tagenarine Chanderpaul who has been consistent since making his debut late last year.

Vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, another character who can be productive with the bat based on his experience and his brilliant talent.

Young and promising Alick Athanaze is likely to make his debut along with another batsman Kirk Mckenzie, both displayed good techniques coupled with runs and potential in regional cricket of recent.

India perhaps have believed to bring in some new players for this series, as their experimentation will come to the fore since their last test match against Australia in the Championship test final, a match of great magnitude. They left out veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is the perfect indication about their modified side for this short series.

Still in the batting department, they have possessed some quality players like Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill.

The bowling looks typically formidable and these Caribbean pitches are known to be responsive. Pacers Mohammed Siraj, and Navdeep Saini are capable of making early inroads while their three senior spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel are all capable of making a big impression.

Meanwhile, West Indies adorable fans are arguably heart-broken since the team failed to qualify for the 50-overs World Cup later this year in India, but would start to be hopeful that the boys in the maroon colours can embrace this challenge against one of the giant teams of world cricket in this current era.

Full squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican

India’s Test squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.