Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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England vs India T20Is and ODIs. Blink. Five England vs India Tests. Blink. A successful Asia Cup 2018 campaign. Blink…. and here we are.
The action continues to come thick and fast for the Indians, with a home Test series against a West Indies side coming off a somewhat promising home season. In a series widely labeled as preparation for Australia, where a 2-0 series win to India is assumed, can West Indies be of nuisance value?
Prithvi Shaw is the beneficiary of India‘s disappointing 4-1 Test defeat in England, which forced India to make a change in the opening slot, dropping Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay. With Mayank Agarwal forced to bide his time, this might mean the end for Dhawan and Vijay, which is not the worst thing, given Dhawan can focus on white ball cricket and India can look to the future. Despite this, though, there remains a number of familiar faces in the side, and with players such as Rohit Sharma, Karun Nair, Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal knocking on the door, there is little room for error, especially for the batsmen, ahead of the tougher assignment in Australia.
On a pitch that reportedly has a greenish tinge to it in an attempt to prepare for Australia, West Indies have a pace attack coming off a good home season. Sure, the opposition here will be sterner than Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and the loss of Kemar Roach is a blow too, but Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel in particular are in good enough touch to make a statement. Will the Windies prove to be just a stepping stone for India onto the Australian series, or will they be of real nuisance value?
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Key to an India win
Key to a West Indies win
Possible XIs
India have named their squad of 12 for the first Test, with Prithvi Shaw set to make his debut. The only question is whether Shardul Thakur or Kuldeep Yadav will be the final member of the bowling attack.India possible XI: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. KL Rahul, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Ravichandran Ashwin, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Kuldeep Yadav/Shardul Thakur, 11. Umesh Yadav
A lot depends on the seamers for West Indies, and of course the batting. Sunil Ambris could get a run after a century in the warm up game. Kemar Roach won’t be available due to family reasons.
West Indies possible XI: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite, 2. Kieran Powell, 3. Shai Hope, 4. Sunil Ambris, 5. Shimron Hetmeyer, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Shane Dowrich (wk), 8. Jason Holder (c), 9. Keemo Paul, 10. Devendra Bishoo, 11. Shannon Gabriel
Dream11
- I really rate Shane Dowrich and Shemron Hetmeyer, so they are in my side.
- Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli are two stalwarts, especially at home, and I think Prithvi Shaw will have a good debut.
- Three good allrounders are in my side – Jason Holder, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin. All have good bowling and batting potential.
- With the three seamers of Gabriel, Yadav and Shami, there is good wicket taking potential there as well.
Stats and Facts
- This will be India’s second home Test of 2018, after beating Afghanistan.
- Ravichandran Ashwin has scored all four of his Test centuries against West Indies.
- West Indies have not win a Test in India since 1994.
- India are the most dominant home side this decade, winning 30 Tests and losing just four.
Prediction
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