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PZIndia vs West Indies First Test Preview : West Indies firm second favorite
Author : Tareque Laskar 3 Oct, 2018
In their last 5 test matches, West Indies have won 4 and lost 1, India have lost 4 and won 1. However, the opposition West Indies faced were Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, at home. India’s matches were all in England. Travelling to India is likely to present a whole new challenge for the young West Indies team, not least because this is where they have not won a test match since 1994/95.
India will be itching to go after their stinging series defeat in England and with Virat Kohli back in the ranks after resting for the Asia Cup along with a fit again Ravichandran Ashwin, there is no reason why India should not be overwhelming favorites. Prithvi Shaw is likely to make his debut after India jettisoned Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, and the selectors overlooked Karun Nair yet again. The home conditions make a strong case for picking three spinners [which means Kuldeep Yadav gets a likely look in] and five frontline batsmen [despite the fact that one of them is an 18 year old debutant] should probably be all India need.
For the West Indies, fast bowler Kemar Roach’s absence will be a blow but they will have rookie talent to showcase as well – Keemo Paul and Sherman Lewis – along with Roston Chase, who coach Stuart Law believes can trouble India like Moeen Ali did in England. It would be interesting to see how the No. 8 side in the world takes on the No. 1, but with young blood on both sides, more likely than not, both sides will hit the ground running.
