The Jason Holder West Indies team will no doubt want to wipe away the memories from the last time they played against India in Antigua (2016) when they were defeated by an inning and 92 runs.
The first Test of this present series starts today at the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium from 10.00 a.m.
The West Indies have named Rahkeem Cornwall, the 26-year-old off spinning all-rounder, in the 13-member squad for the two-match Test series.
The West Indies have won six out of 11 Tests at home, most recently beating England 2-1.
All eyes will be on the Indian captain, Virat Kohli who scored 200 against West Indies when the two teams played in Antigua (2016). Fast bowler Kemar Roach will lead West Indies charge; Roach picked up 8 wickets when West Indies defeated England in Antigua earlier this year.
The West Indies camp will no doubt want their top and middle order batsmen, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope Roston Chase and Shimron Hetmyer to come good against the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav.
Earlier this week former West Indies captain Brian Lara said he believes the current squad needs to work on the mental aspect of the game to compete and dominate the upcoming two-Test series against India.
Lara alongside Ramnaresh Sarwan were part of the pre-series camp in Antigua ahead of the first Test.
Lara said “Technical skills and work ethic are present in the 15-member squad “and one area which he identified for greater growth was “the mental preparation to play, compete and dominate for five days of a Test match”.
India versus West Indies Head to Head record from 1948: Played 96 matches, India won 20, West Indies won 30 and 46 drawn.
The last time India played in the Caribbean was in 2016 when the team went on to defeat West Indies 2-0 in the four match series. In the 1st Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – July 21st-24th, India won by an inning and 92 runs (India 566 for 8 declared; West Indies 243 and 231).
2nd Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica: Jun 30th -August 3rd, Drawn (West Indies 196 and 388 for 6 declared; India 500 for 9 declared).
3rd Test at Darren Sammy Stadium, Saint Lucia: August 9th-13th, India won by 237 runs (India 353 and 217 for 7 declared; West Indies 225 and 108).
4th Test at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad: August 18th-22nd, Match drawn (West Indies 62 for 2). Result of the series: India 2, Drawn 2.
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (Captain), Keemo Paul, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Shannon Gabriel, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Roston Chase, John Campbell, Shamarh Brook, Darren Bravo, Kraigg Brathwaite, and Kemar Roachl.
India squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane (Vice Captain), Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Mayank Agarwal, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mohammed Shami, Hanuma Vihari, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav.
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (England) and Rod Tucker (Australia). Third Umpire: Paul Reiffel (Australia); Referee: David Boon (Australia); Reserve Umpire: Leslie Reifer (West Indies).
