This momentous sport will signify the a centesimal Test match between the 2 groups. While India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, acknowledged the importance of this event, his crew is anticipated to dominate the West Indies, simply as they did within the sequence opener in Dominica.
Following the match on the Queen’s Park Oval, India’s subsequent Test outing will solely happen throughout their tour of South Africa in December-January. This leaves gamers like Rahane with yet another alternative to make an indelible impression on the selectors, guaranteeing that he can’t be ignored for the away sequence towards the Proteas.
In his first Test look in 18 months, which coincided with the World Test Championship closing final month, Rahane stood out as a distinguished batsman for India. However, he could rue the missed likelihood on a sluggish, turning pitch in Dominica, the place the guests wanted to bat solely as soon as.
There is a powerful chance that India will as soon as once more bat solely as soon as within the upcoming Test, putting emphasis on Rahane’s efficiency. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer, presently present process rehabilitation after a again surgical procedure, is predicted to be accessible for the South Africa tour.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour emphasised the significance of getting an in-form Rahane for the upcoming journey to South Africa within the lead-up to this sport.
“When it comes to technique, you constantly work on that but what stood out for me that he was much more calm in his approach. He was playing late and close to the body. He is still batting the same way in the nets.
“We hope he’ll do nicely. Conditions in South Africa, you have to any person like him to come back good,” Rathour said ahead of the second Test.
Following an innings and 141-run victory in three days, no major changes are expected in the playing eleven but it remains to be seen if left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat gets another opportunity.
The 31-year-old, who featured in only his third Test in 13 years, was the lone Indian bowler who did not pick a wicket in Dominica and bowled only nine overs.
India spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja made merry on a track offering turn in the series opener and another turner is on the cards with the West Indies replacing batting all-rounder Ramon Reifer with spin all-rounder Kevin Sinclair.
If that is indeed the case, India will be tempted to play another spinner in Axar Patel at Unadkat’s expense.
Shardul Thakur can also be benched to accommodate Axar, whose batting has improved by leaps and bounds in the last 12 months.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who became only the third Indian to score 150 on his debut, will be looking to extend his purple patch. Shubman Gill could only last 11 balls after dropping himself down to number three and he will be itching to go out in the middle.
Virat Kohli, who has not made an overseas Test hundred since December 2018, also will be eyeing a big knock after a dogged 76 in the opener.
After taking 20 balls for his first run in Test cricket, Ishan Kishan would be eagerly waiting for his chance in the middle after impressing the skipper with his keeping skills against Ashwin and Jadeja on his debut.
Barring debutant Alick Athanaze, none of the West Indies batters were comfortable against high quality spin and are likely to struggle if the ball turns as much as it did in Dominica.
West Indies might be better off with a pitch that aids fast bowling, bringing Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph in the game. That could be the only way they are able to put pressure on the Indian batting line up.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (wicket-keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Kevin Sinclair, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com