Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
After Australia’s amazing escape in Dubai, we can all exclaim how great Test Cricket is. But, could a match of Test Cricket be previewed in three words?
“India will win” seems a simple preview, but after a non-contest at Rajkot, one can only hope for a more competitive showing from the tourists.
Is it asking for too much? Probably. India went about their business with minimal fuss at Rajkot, yet picked up their biggest ever win in Tests. Such was the gulf in quality between the sides that if you blinked, you would have missed the batting efforts of the West Indies, which did no favours to all associated with Test Cricket. Ahead of a huge series in Australia, what can India take out of this series? On the evidence presented at Rajkot – not much, except mainly for players to gain further confidence by putting good numbers on the board.
Everyone knows the gulf in class between the sides, but the lack of fight from West Indies was bitterly disappointing. The least you should do when batting at any level is put a price on your wicket, and it seemed to everyone that the Windies simply didn’t believe they could cope. Coupled with a lack of pressure with the ball, it was a true nightmare at Rajkot. Will they have a better time of things in Hyderabad?
Key to an India win
In all honesty, it’s doing the basics well.
Despite winning by an innings and 272 runs in the first Test, India didn’t do anything extraordinary, but rather focused on their strengths, intent on grinding the Windies into the ground. The likes of Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara will be keen to continue their good form from Rajkot at the top, backed up by a handy middle-lower order, as Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja’s recent form suggests. However, eyes will be on KL Rahul as well as Ajinkya Rahane – will they have more influential performances in Hyderabad?
Also, the Windies simply had no answer to India’s well-rounded bowling attack in these conditions. For India, no complacency will be key, and under Virat Kohli, you can expect the bowlers to keep the heat on the Windies batsmen.
Key to a West Indies win
Twitter will go into meltdown.
Jason Holder has come out and spoken against the critics, saying that even a team with Brian Lara couldn’t win a series in India. Sure, an India tour is toughest in world cricket, but what the fans are asking for is greater fight. There is no shame in losing. However, there is shame in gifting wickets away.
Can the batsmen, led by Kraigg Brathwaite, show greater stomach for the fight? What could encourage the Windies was the efforts of Kieran Powell and Roston Chase in Rajkot – can others jump on board and make life somewhat challenging? Who will be willing to get through the first 20-30 balls and accumulate?
Also, Kemar Roach is expected to play, which is an important boost to a bowling attack that looked toothless at Rajkot. Skipper Jason Holder is also pushing to play, which will be another boost if fit – the pace of Gabriel and Roach, with the control of Holder and efforts of Bishoo could see the Windies have a slightly better time of things.
Possible XIs
India have named an unchanged XII to the first Test, with the only question being whether Shardul Thakur or Kuldeep Yadav get a game. With conditions expected to be similar to Rajkot, Kuldeep will probably get the nod. Keen to see Prithvi Shaw go at it again, and whether KL Rahul will waste a review score runs.
India possible XI: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. KL Rahul, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Ravichandran Ashwin, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Umesh Yadav, 11. Mohammed Shami
For West Indies, Jason Holder and Kemar Roach are expected to return.
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. Kemar Roach, 10. Devendra Bishoo, 11. Shannon Gabriel
Dream11
- Expect Rishabh Pant to enjoy a few dismissals, and get in the runs too.
- Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Prithvi Shaw are too good not to have. Kieran Powell is my Windies batsman after a promising Rajkot Test.
- Three allrounders all with potential of good scores make my side.
- Keep an eye out for any news on whether Kuldeep and Bishoo will indeed play. Both have wicket taking potential.
Stats and Facts
- India’s win in Rajkot was their biggest ever in Tests.
- West Indies have not won a Test in India since 1994, and their last three Tests in India have lasted nine days in total. All three have been innings defeats.
- India have made eight scores of 600+ since 2016, two more than the rest of the world combined.
Prediction
I don’t look like Einstein when I say India will win this Test and take the series 2-0.
Just too good.
Thanks for reading!
