*INDIA VS WESTINDIES 2nd TEST IN A 2 MATCH TEST SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*DOMINANT INDIA DEMAND A FIGHT FROM THE OPPOSITION:*
Test Cricket is all about the competitiveness and fight and once this aspect of the format disappears, things go dull and tend to take a slow turn. This was the story of India taking on the Windies in the first test match where a one sided contest was dished out on a slow and turning track which supported the visiting bowlers more than it aided the hosts.
The Braithwaite led side were down and out by the end of a 3 day finish at Dominica and barely had any results to show for it. The fact that the curators produced a turner for the opener was even more baffling. Why would you want your team batters to struggle against the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja, two renowned spinners for whom the conditions were like butter on bread? Certainly, this is one feature which the skipper-coach duo would like to change and a more sporting wicket which allows the likes of Roach, Joseph and Gabriel for that matter, to come into the game and try making at impact.
Though India are known to be traditionally good players of spin, they have improved marginally against pace bowling as well but a bouncy track at Trinidad with these three at the top of their marks could well change that and challenge the Rohit led side. Virat has had his outside off stump struggles and Jaiswal is new to this arena, these two of the three top run getters from the first test can be put under the pump if the board gets a little bit of help from the curator. Windies would like to go down fighting instead of simply surrending, a case which we got to see last game.
I’d be keeping a close eye on how Kishan keeps wickets. He did a fair job in the opening test match but to see him collect it cleanly against the pacers when the bowl rises or keeps low is one aspect I’m eager to look at. If he manages to pass this test, it is only going to be a bonus for the side as he is already an Aggresive batter who’d look to play proactive cricket to get out of difficult situations. A real test awaits the southpaw as India look to finish the test part of this tour on a high.
*WI PROBABLE XI:*
Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Jermaine Blackwood, T Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, J Da Silva (wk), A Athanaze, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, JA Warrican
We are hoping that the surface over here stays true and supports fast bowling. In that case scenario, the troika of Roach-Joseph-Holder become a threat, a threat which India would be vary of. They know their surface well and with the high arm action of particularly the latter two, the Indians could be tested. Rohit Sharma is very fond of the pull shot but we’ve also seen him fall prey to the bowlers playing the same shot- Alzarri Joseph in particular can take toll of this point and plot against the Indian skipper.
A Athanaze, despite being a debutant showed great composure at the crease- pouncing on every scoring opportunity and looking assured at the crease. His game plan vs spin was supreme and he’d look to continue the good work if WI are to shock the visitors.
Greater responsibility will be on the shoulders of Kraigg Braithwaite as he looks to lead his side into another test match. As the leader, he produced some abysmal performances in both innings- gifting his wicket away and not taking care of the side as a whole. Better show is what the WI fans would hope for from their premier batter and their opener.
*IND PROBABLE XI:*
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, RA Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj
Excited to watch Jaydev Unadkat go about his job on a wicket that is expected to aid him. We hardly got to see his skillset in Dominica where his role was limited due to the slowness of the track but we can expect him to trouble the WI batters with his left arm angle and with the unstoppable intensity that he emits, in Trinidad. Last when he featured in Bangladesh, the insane amount of bounce that he was able to extract was phenomenal and banking on his heroics there, he becomes more than just a support bowler to Mohammad Siraj.
Veteran Rahane, playing in his first test series after England, walked back with a cheap score next to his name. He’d be eyeing a big score in Trinidad specially after the form that he showed in the WTC finals vs Australia against a much tougher and superior opposition. The experienced duo of Rohit and Kohli stepped up and pressed on the pedal as they made complete use of what was thrown at them. While Kohli controlled the game and scored a commanding 76, the Indian skipper starred with a ‘near-perfect’ ton on a slowish yet challenging surface. The two would love to see their side through another test as their form becomes key heading into tomorrow’s game.
Ashwin excels in every area when it comes to Tests. Due to his reliable batting abilities and capacity for creating efficient turns with the ball, Ashwin is a powerful force to be reckoned with. He created havoc on the Windsor pitch picking up seven wickets and leaving the hosts absolutely clueless on their own home turf. It would be interesting to see how big of an impact he has, if the surface decides to favour the quicker bowlers more. I’m sure with the smart brains that he possesses, he would still find a way to break out of the loophole.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR WI:*
Highest run getter- Kraigg Braithwaite/Athanaze
Highest wicket taker- Kemar Roach/Alzarri Joseph
*FOR IND:*
Highest run getter- Rohit Sharma/Shubman Gill
Highest wicket taker- Mohammad Siraj/Ravindra Jadeja
*FOR THE GAME:*
India to pocket another test match vs WI and finish the 100th test between these two sides on a high. Expect another 3/4 day finish.