Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
West Indies v India 1st Test Player Ratings. WI vs IND 2nd Test Player Ratings
What was that? West Indies had improved since India’s last visit, making this Test a potentially exciting one? Not quite.
Hidden somewhat behind the extraordinary third Ashes Test, a tight, tense tussle was the need of the hour for Antigua to get the attention Headingley received.
It wasn’t the case, but that is not to say that there was no good cricket on show. Ajinkya Rahane’s rescue act and first century in 30 innings, Hanuma Vihari’s exploits and India’s significantly improved pace stocks have underlined why they are a side to watch out for in the World Test Championship.
In this article, I will rate each player out of 10 from India’s huge 318-run win, sealed on the fourth day.
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West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite: Brathwaite makes up one of the most contrasting opening pairs in world cricket. A patient player, Kraigg is capable of holding teams at bay. However, with India’s attack in this kind of form, it is a tough ask, but playing late and close to the body is well-advised. 3
John Campbell: Is John Campbell West Indies’ Jason Roy in Test Cricket? Campbell will need plenty of skill (and some luck) to overcome the likes of Ishant and Bumrah in this form with his style. 3
Shamarh Brooks: A baptism of fire for West Indies’ newest number three. Started promisingly in the first innings, before trying to cut Ravindra Jadeja off the stumps. Lesson learnt, right away. 3
Darren Bravo: After bursting onto the scene a decade ago, Bravo’s similarities to cousin Brian Lara were there for everyone to see. His career hasn’t gone down the same path as Lara, but even the great man might have had a hard time dealing with a fast, full, inswinger from Jasprit Bumrah. 3
Roston Chase: All effort. Everything Chase does is with 100% commitment. He carried the load as the sole spinner after Windies thought Miguel Cummins was the answer as the third seamer, along with a fighting 48 in the first innings. Can he go to the next level in the next Test? 7
Shimron Hetmyer: Has Shimron Hetmyer had the 2019 expected of him? You be the judge. 4
Shai Hope: Some of Hope’s cover drives are the best you’ll see. Sir Vivian Richards was in awe. However, when you are victim of a Jasprit Bumrah outswinger, you just have to accept it and move onto the next innings. 4
Jason Holder: The skipper joined the top seven in reaching double figures in the first innings. However, no one went on to even make 50. His control with the ball makes an attacking spinner a very viable option in the Windies’ side. 6
Kemar Roach: Super impressive with the ball. Indeed, Roach has been a joy to watch in Test cricket over the past few years, and this was no exception. Also, his hard-hitting with the bat on the fourth day ensured West Indies didn’t suffer a sub-100 humiliation. 8.5
Miguel Cummins: His two innings with the bat were as consistent as his bowling. His 45-ball duck was followed by a 22-ball 19, reflective of his mix of half vollies and trackers that the Indian batsmen feasted on. 2
Shannon Gabriel: Not sure if anyone will pay to watch Shannon Gabriel run around in the field, but he sure can send the ball down at good pace. Contributed to an excellent start to the match for West Indies. 6.5
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India
KL Rahul: Name: KL Rahul. Job: Promising plenty, but not quite delivering his potential. 7
Mayank Agarwal: After an excellent start to his Test career in Australia, Mayank had his first failure. He has to learn from this experience – particularly his second innings shot. 3
Cheteshwar Pujara: India’s hero in Australia was quiet in this Test. His 29 runs in Antigua adds to his underwhelming record in West Indies, of which he will be looking to make right in the second Test. 4
Virat Kohli: West Indies have an avenue of opportunity against Kohli. Despite the Indian skipper’s improved second innings, his approach against the short ball on the first morning is something Jason Holder’s men can look to test in the next game. However, as always, Kohli will be up for the challenge. 6
Ajinkya Rahane: West Indies did so much right on the first morning. After all, they needed to target Rahane as early as possible, given his tough couple of years with the bat. However, Rahane showed his class, rescuing India out of trouble on the first day, and then driving him the advantage with a second innings hundred. Deserved man of the match. 10
Hanuma Vihari: The talk leading into the Test was whether Vihari or Rohit Sharma would win the number six spot. After an array of beautiful straight driving and excellent strike rotation, Vihari justified India’s selection. The Rohit fans on Twitter will have to remain patient… 8
Rishabh Pant: The man who called struggling Australian captain Tim Paine a “Temporary Captain” watched his bowlers cause carnage as carnage took place in Headingley. Five dismissals, including low grabs, indicate some improvement. His start with the bat in the first innings is something he would like to build on. 6
Ravindra Jadeja: Like the number six slot, India had a decision to make regarding their spinner. Thanks to Sanjay Manjrekar, Jadeja continued his excellent form with a half century and two wickets that swung the game further India’s way. 8
Ishant Sharma: Two incredible caught-and-bowled efforts from the big man headlined his 5-wicket haul. This game was another episode in Ishant’s much improved performances overseas. 9
Mohammed Shami: Outshone by Ishant and Bumrah, but one should hold no shame when that is the case. Shami still bowled well for the most part, underlining his wicket taking ability. 7
Jasprit Bumrah: Amid the Ashes carnage, there was also carnage in Antigua. Jasprit Bumrah, on his way to becoming India’s best-ever seamer (if he’s not there yet), produced some of the best swing bowling you will ever see, making it somewhat surprising anytime the Windies’ batsmen laid bat on his deliveries. We are blessed with some fantastic fast bowlers in world cricket right now, and Jasprit Bumrah is most certainly one of them. 9
A very comfortable win for India in the end.
Can West Indies bounce back? The second Test begins in Kingston, Jamaica on Friday 30th August 2019.
Thanks for reading!
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