Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

WI vs IND 1st Test Preview Dream11 and MyTeam11 August 22 2019. West Indies vs India 1st Test Preview Dream11 Prediction and Regular MyTeam11 team

The third Test of a blockbuster Thursday – also including Sri Lanka v New Zealand and England v Australia – kicks off in Antigua. Both West Indies and India will kick off their World Test Championship campaigns, keen to continue the positive steps they have made in Test Cricket in the last 12-18 months.

West Indies have been mighty impressive in home conditions over the past year. A great series win over England in January followed a thumping win over Bangladesh in July 2018 after coming close to taking their series against Sri Lanka. Pace has underlined Windies’ efforts in the Caribbean, and this will be key again against a side looking to get back in the Test groove.

India, the world’s number one Test side, have made progress in matches away from Asia. The series scorelines could have been very different in South Africa and England last year, before they won impressively in Australia at the turn of the year. While Virat Kohli’s side starts this series as favourites, they will have to beware of the challenges the West Indies provide, which could make this match an interesting one.

Key to a West Indies win

West Indies have improved as a Test side since India’s last visit to the Caribbean in 2016. The likes of Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder have come leaps and bounds since then, and when you couple this with the pace of Kemar Roach, who tormented Bangladesh and England at Antigua in his last two Tests, West Indies have a pace attack that can challenge India’s batting. With question marks over Ajinkya Rahane’s form over the last two years, as well as who will be India’s number six, inroads into India’s top four via sheer pace can hold the Windies in great stead.

However, West Indies will have to cope with India’s own pace threat. India’s pace stocks have contributed significantly to their better performances outside Asia in the last 18 months, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma a threatening trio. So, who will stand up and be counted for West Indies? Kraigg Brathwaite can blunt the new ball, allowing the likes of Shai Hope, Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer to get into their innings, with a very capable middle-lower order, including Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich and Jason Holder, able to contribute vital runs.

Key to an India win

India’s relentless accuracy was a key feature in their maiden Test series win in Australia. Jasprit Bumrah barely let the Aussie batsmen breathe, supported well by the much-improved Ishant Sharma, whose fuller length can reap rewards in these conditions, too. With Mohammed Shami a genuine wicket-taker (only behind Bumrah and Lyon in Australia), India have a trio that can look to maintain pressure on the Windies’ lineup.

Also, Cheteshwar Pujara finally cracked the code of batting outside Asia. His record outside Asia previously raised eyebrows, given his patience and commitment to batting, which he then used to great effect to win man of the series in Australia. With Mayank Agarwal also impressing in that series, he will be tasked with overcoming Windies’ pace threat, along with KL Rahul, of whom the jury is still out on in terms of his prowess as a Test opener. With Virat Kohli a wonderful player to build on any platform, a strong performance from the top three allows the skipper to flourish, and so too the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and lower order.

Pitch and conditions

The weather forecast in Antigua looks mostly cloudy, with showers forecast for day three. Fast bowlers have enjoyed themselves at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua in recent years. Expect this track to have good pace and bounce, but perhaps to a lesser extent than was the case vs England, where the pitch was rated below average. According to ESPNCricinfo, there is said to be some scattering of grass, as well as a few damp spots which might make this a bowl-first track.

Possible Playing 11

Keemo Paul has been ruled out of the first Test, which means off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall will almost certainly make his debut.

West Indies: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shai Hope, 4. Darren Bravo, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Shane Dowrich (wk), 8. Jason Holder (c), 9. Rahkeem Cornwall, 10. Kemar Roach, 11. Shannon Gabriel

India have a decision to make over who bats at six, as well as who plays the role of spinner. Ravi Ashwin had an amazing series in West Indies in 2016, which could play in his favour.

India: 1. KL Rahul, 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli, 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rohit Sharma/Hanuma Vihari, 7. Rishabh Pant (wk), 8. R Ashwin, 9. Ishant Sharma, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

MyTeam11 Prediction (Regular – deadline 1 hour before match begins)

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Dream11 Prediction

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Stats and Facts

• Kemar Roach (42.8) and Shannon Gabriel (46.8) are in the top six in terms of strike rates for bowlers with a minimum of 50 wickets since India’s last tour of West Indies.
• India have good memories of Antigua, winning by an innings and 92 runs in 2016. R Ashwin scored a century and took seven wickets, while Kohli scored a double ton.
• Jasprit Bumrah is one away from 50 wickets in Tests.

Match Prediction

This promises to be an interesting Test, with both sides possessing capable pace bowlers. However, India look a better balanced side, which is why I think they will take out this Test.

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