This momentous sport will signify the 100th Check match between the 2 groups. Whereas India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, acknowledged the importance of this event, his staff is anticipated to dominate the West Indies, simply as they did within the collection opener in Dominica.
Following the match on the Queen’s Park Oval, India’s subsequent Check outing will solely happen throughout their tour of South Africa in December-January. This leaves gamers like Rahane with another alternative to make an indelible impression on the selectors, making certain that he can’t be ignored for the away collection in opposition to the Proteas.
In his first Check look in 18 months, which coincided with the World Check Championship closing final month, Rahane stood out as a outstanding batsman for India. Nevertheless, he could rue the missed likelihood on a gradual, turning pitch in Dominica, the place the guests wanted to bat solely as soon as.
There’s a sturdy risk that India will as soon as once more bat solely as soon as within the upcoming Check, inserting emphasis on Rahane’s efficiency. Moreover, Shreyas Iyer, presently present process rehabilitation after a again surgical procedure, is anticipated to be out there 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.
“With regards to method, you always work on that however what stood out for me that he was far more calm in his method. He was enjoying late and near the physique. He’s nonetheless batting the identical manner within the nets.
“We hope he’ll do properly. Circumstances in South Africa, you’ll need someone like him to come back good,” Rathour mentioned forward of the second Check.
Following an innings and 141-run victory in three days, no main modifications are anticipated within the enjoying eleven nevertheless it stays to be seen if left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat will get one other alternative.
The 31-year-old, who featured in solely his third Check in 13 years, was the lone Indian bowler who didn’t decide a wicket in Dominica and bowled solely 9 overs.
India spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja made merry on a monitor providing flip within the collection opener and one other turner is on the playing cards with the West Indies changing batting all-rounder Ramon Reifer with spin all-rounder Kevin Sinclair.
If that’s certainly the case, India can be tempted to play one other spinner in Axar Patel at Unadkat’s expense.
Shardul Thakur can be benched to accommodate Axar, whose batting has improved by leaps and bounds within the final 12 months.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who turned solely the third Indian to attain 150 on his debut, can be trying to lengthen his purple patch. Shubman Gill might solely final 11 balls after dropping himself right down to quantity three and he can be itching to exit within the center.
Virat Kohli, who has not made an abroad Check hundred since December 2018, additionally can be eyeing an enormous knock after a dogged 76 within the opener.
After taking 20 balls for his first run in Check cricket, Ishan Kishan could be eagerly ready for his likelihood within the center after impressing the skipper along with his conserving abilities in opposition to Ashwin and Jadeja on his debut.
Barring debutant Alick Athanaze, not one of the West Indies batters have been comfy in opposition to top quality spin and are more likely to battle if the ball turns as a lot because it did in Dominica.
West Indies may be higher off with a pitch that aids quick bowling, bringing Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph within the sport. That could possibly be the one manner they’re able to put stress 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.
