Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
West Indies v India 2nd Test Player Ratings. WI vs IND 2nd Test Player Ratings
Jamaica. Take two in the series after a very one-sided first Test. What could we expect?
Well, what we got early was Sunil Gavaskar trying to speak like a Jamaican on commentary on the first morning. After a 318-run pummelling in the first Test, one might have had to wonder if that was to be the main highlight this match could provide.
Indeed, like the first match, superb individual achievements headlined the Test, with India winning very comfortably. Hanuma Vihari put to bed any questions about who should bat six, turning the attention of Rohit Sharma tragics to the opening slot instead. Jasprit Bumrah then produced another spell of magic, becoming the third India bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.
For West Indies, joy was at a premium. Jason Holder and Kemar Roach led the way with fighting efforts right through the Test, and Rahkheem Cornwall held his own on debut.
This article will go through each player and rate them out of 10.
Also read: An Aussie in awe of Jasprit Bumrah. What makes him so special?
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite: Stop the press. Kraigg Brathwaite’s 10 might have stunned many in the first innings, comfortably the top scorer in the top five. However, when an opening batsman’s highlight is dismissing the opposition’s number nine who just smashed a half century, things don’t look very rosy. 2
Jason Campbell: Suited to the limited overs formats. You get the feeling Jason Campbell will offer too many chances in Test cricket. Like Jason Roy for England. 2
Darren Bravo: A real shame that Darren Bravo was victim of delayed concussion. He looked good in the second innings, but a big score wasn’t to be. 4
Shamarh Brooks: Excellent fight in the second innings gave his team and fans something to cheer about. However, his lackadaisical effort in getting back to his crease right after making 50 was like taking candy off a baby. 6
Roston Chase: Victim of Jasprit Bumrah’s hat-trick ball. To be fair, there was not much he could do about such an outstanding inswinger. His luck didn’t improve in the second dig, given out on a marginal LBW call. 3
Jason Holder: It was Jason Holder v India for a significant amount of the first two days. His superb five-for came at a cost, looking weary as he played a shot he’d never want to see again. All-in-all, he again showed why he’s rated the number one all-rounder in Tests right now. 9
Jermaine Blackwood: The second concussion replacement in Test history. Like the first – Marnus Labuschagne – Jermaine Blackwood showed fight that some of his teammates could learn from. 6
Shimron Hetmyer: One of those teammates is this guy. Four slips and a short extra cover were waiting for Shimron to play a loose drive in the second innings, after riding his luck in the first. He obliged, providing Ishant Sharma with a lovely little early Christmas gift. “Hetmyer needs some sense knocked into him” were the words on commentary. No one can disagree. 3
Jahmar Hamilton: Last minute debut for Jahmar Hamilton with Shai Hope ruled out through injury. He was pretty safe behind the stumps, but that’s where the joy ended. 3
Rahkeem Cornwall: West Indies need a good spinner in Test cricket, and they have one. Cornwall should have played in Antigua, and showed why with a consistent effort right throughout this Test on a pitch not offering too much turn. 6.5
Kemar Roach: Deserved many more wickets in the first innings after bowling his heart out. Roach picked up three second innings dismissals – including Virat Kohli first ball – but it was all too late for the Windies. 7
Shannon Gabriel: If bowling half-vollies was an Olympic sport, Shannon Gabriel would be the record Gold Medal holder. He struggled for consistency in the heat, which places emphasis on his fitness. 2
India
KL Rahul: His 63-ball six, when India started their second innings 299 ahead, shows Rahul is concerned about his spot in the side. Also, he needs to rectify his tendency of leaving the ball too late. After a series of missed opportunities, should India stick with KL Rahul? 2
Also read: India’s opening conundrum – what should they do with KL Rahul?
Mayank Agarwal: Promising first innings fifty. Like the case in Australia, though, Agarwal had the chance to go big. A solid outing, nonetheless. 6
Cheteshwar Pujara: More was expected of Cheteshwar Pujara after his magnificent series in Australia at the turn of the year. 4
Virat Kohli: India thumping West Indies might not grab the attention of other teams around the world. However, Kohli’s two dismissals showed where sides need to bowl to India’s great batsman – the coveted fourth stump line. He was cantering to a first innings century, before Holder got him with a beauty. A second innings duck is as rare as they come for India’s now most successful Test captain both overall and overseas. 7
Ajinkya Rahane: Loves the Windies, does Rahane. A very solid series that he will need to build on next month against South Africa at home, where he has not enjoyed the best of times in his Test career. 7
Hanuma Vihari: Normal people might like enjoying their favourite song on repeat. Me? I’d like to watch Hanuma Vihari’s straight drives on repeat. He dedicated his first Test century to his late father, which was a great touch along with justifying the selectors’ decision to pick him at six. His second innings fifty was icing on the cake. 10
Rishabh Pant: Batted with great maturity on the opening evening, and it was a shame from India’s perspective he was out first ball on day two. Pant took some fine catches behind the stumps – the highlight being an inside edge off Rahkeem Cornwall, diving full length to his left to grasp it. 7
Ravindra Jadeja: Apart from giving fans and commentators near heart attacks with his front foot no balls, Jadeja had another solid outing. 7
Ishant Sharma: “We have an opening conundrum?” asked Ishant post match. “Put me there.” His first innings half century was the stuff of dreams, making the Windies pay for missing two golden run out opportunities. His controlled bowling once again highlighted how much he has improved in the past few years. 8
Mohammed Shami: Fell below Ishant Sharma in the batting order, and showed why with a duck. But, his 150 Test wickets indicate more the value he provides to this India team. 7
Jasprit Bumrah: Freak of nature. Need I say more? Yes, here. 10
Also read: An Aussie in awe of Jasprit Bumrah. What makes him so special?
So, there we have it. A very comprehensive win for India over West Indies once again, stretching their unbeaten run over the Caribbean men to 23 Tests, dating back to 2002. India now lead the World Test Championship table with 120 points, while the Windies are glad this series is over.
Thanks for reading!
Also read: Have a Cricket Blog or looking to start one? Check out my Cricket Blogging Tips!
