This memorable match will signify the 100th test match between the two teams. While India captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the significance of the occasion, his side are set to dominate the West Indies, just as they did in the series opener in Dominica.
After the game at Queen’s Park Oval, India’s next test outing will only come on their tour of South Africa in December-January. This leaves players like Rahane one more opportunity to make an indelible impression on the coaches, ensuring he cannot be overlooked for the away series against the Proteas.
In his first Test appearance in 18 months, which coincided with the World Test Championship final last month, Rahane stood out as a top batsman for India. However, he may regret the missed opportunity on a slow, turning pitch in Dominica, where the visitors only needed to strike once.
There is a good chance that India will beat just once again in the next test, emphasizing on Rahane’s performance. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer, currently undergoing rehabilitation after back surgery, is expected to be available for the South Africa tour.
batting coach Vikram Rathour stressed the importance of having a fit Rahane for the upcoming trip to South Africa ahead of this game.
“In terms of technique, you constantly work on that, but what stood out to me was that he was much calmer in his approach. He was playing late and close to the body. He always hits from the same way in nets.
“We hope he does well. In the conditions in South Africa you will need someone like him to be successful,” Rathour said ahead of the second test.
After an innings victory and 141 points in three days, no major changes are expected in the playing XI, but it remains to be seen if left-hand point guard Jaydev Unadkat will get another chance.
The 31-year-old, who took part in just his third Test in 13 years, was the only Indian bowler not to pick a wicket in Dominica and only managed nine overs.
India’s spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rejoiced on a track delivering a spin in the series opener and another spinner is on the cards with the West Indies replacing versatile drummer Ramon Reifer with versatile Kevin Sinclair.
If so, India will be tempted to play another spinner in Axar Patel at the expense of Unadkat.
Shardul Thakur can also be benched to accommodate Axar, whose stick has improved by leaps and bounds over the past 12 months.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who became just the third Indian to score 150 on his debut, will be looking to extend his purple spot. Shubman Gill was only able to last 11 balls after dropping at number three and he will be looking forward to going out in the middle.
Virat Kohli, who hasn’t had a hundred tests abroad since December 2018, will also see a big hit after a stubborn 76 in the opener.
After taking 20 balls on his first innings in Test cricket, Ishan Kishan is said to be eagerly awaiting his chance in the middle after impressing the skipper with his caretaking skills against Ashwin and Jadeja on his debut.
With the exception of rookie Alick Athanaze, none of the West Indies hitters were comfortable against a high-quality spin and are likely to struggle if the ball spins as much as Dominica.
West Indies might be better off with a pitch that facilitates fast bowling, bringing Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph into the game. This might be the only way they are able to pressure the Indian batting line.
Teams:
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.
