WI vs IND Match Preview
The strength of the West Indian team is clearly its bowling lineup. Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, and perhaps Rakheem Cornwall should all be in the lineup for this match. The Duke's cricket ball offers a lot of swing and seam that will make Roach a real threat.
He is the player that everyone is going to watch out for. Jomel Warrican is in the squad but we don't see him playing this match unless the wicket is looking really spin-friendly.
The batting is dependent enormously on Kraigg Brathwaite. He is the only player from the West Indian camp that has scored runs regularly against most of the top Test teams around the world. Jermaine Blackwood, da Silva, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul will need to step up their game to try and compete.
India has a number of young faces in its Test squad.
Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all find a place in the squad. The fast-bowling unit is also quite inexperienced with Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Jaydev Unadkat being included. The onus of leading the attack will fall on Mohammad Siraj. India's spin department is world-class thanks to the presence of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Pitches in the West Indies have been helpful for the spinners in the recent past and that could bring both Ashwin and Jadeja to the forefront.
It will be interesting to see how India picks its lineup for this match. We think Jaiswal will make his debut at number three and Ishan Kishan might get a chance in place of Srikar Bharat at number 6. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane ensure there is more than enough experience in the lineup but all three of them need some runs.
Weather Report
There is not too much rain forecast for the match week although the weather can change very quickly in the Caribbean islands.
Pitch Report
We expect a flat surface with not too much bounce or pace in it. The Duke ball will swing and seam while it is new but the batters will dominate afterwards.
A score of 350-400 is the least teams will aim for if they bat first.
Notable stats
R Jadeja: Test Match MVP
Jadeja is not only one of India's best spinners but he is also currently one of its best batters. He has scored 511 runs in his previous 8 Test matches at an average of 46.45 while taking 36 wickets in those matches with the ball as well.
Team News
There are no injuries for either team to worry about.
WI vs IND Probable 11
WI Playing 11
- Kraigg Brathwaite (C)
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Raymon Reifer
- Jermaine Blackwood
- Alick Athanaze
- Joshua da Silva (Wk)
- Rakheem Cornwall
- Jason Holder
- Alzarri Joseph
- Shannon Gabriel
- Kemar Roach
IND Playing 11
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ishan Kishan (Wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- R Ashwin
- Shardul Thakur
- Mukesh Kumar
- Mohammad Siraj
Dream11 Prediction
We think a close contest is likely but eventually Inda should be able to get the better of the West Indies. The only real chance that the West Indies has is to prepare pitches that take India's spinners out of the equation but that has not happened in quite a few years and is unlikely to happen again.
India should be able to win this match.
Top Picks
R Jadeja: He will play a central role with both bat and ball, making him an excellent option for the captain as well. R Ashwin also plays a similar role and could be another great option for the captain or vice-captain.
Kraigg Brathwaite: 859 runs in his previous ten Test matches are a good sign coming into this series. Brathwaite has an opportunity to improve his record against India especially now that they are missing a few of their best fast-bowlers.
Yashasvi Jaiswal - There is nothing that this young man from India has done that makes us less sure about his place in international cricket. A century on debut would fit perfectly in the script he has written so far.
WI vs IND Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: I Kishan
Batters: V Kohli, K Brathwaite, S Gill (VC), Y Jaiswal
All-rounders: R Jadeja (C), R Ashwin, J Holder
Bowlers: K Roach, M Siraj, A Joseph
