In the first Test match of the two-match series, India will lock horns with the West Indies at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica on Wednesday, July 12 i.e. today at 7:30 PM IST.
India returns to Dominica after a gap of 12 years, and most of the attention will be on the new players who will be commencing their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. After finishing as a runner’s up in the competition twice, the selectors had to make some critical choices while choosing the squad.
Captain Rohit Sharma announced that they will be debuting a new opener and new No. 3 player. The batting order has an alternative look with Shubman Gill being placed at number three and Yashasvi Jaiswal slated to open given India’s need for a left-hander.
Furthermore, India’s ability to address a long-standing batting issue will depend on how well this pair performs in those positions. As the records show, the line-up has been especially vulnerable against pace over the previous three years. Team India have a great opportunity to fix this. Moreover, in Mohammed Shami‘s absence, Mohammad Siraj will take over as the main pacer. The next line of attack, though, will be the centre of attention since it possesses a certain amount of rawness and the ability to even out the match-up between the teams over the course of two Tests.
The host team’s batting worries coincide with those of the visiting team. Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder are the batting order’s veterans, and despite the alterations, the success of the order still greatly depends on their play. The series gives other players in the team another chance to shine and equal the riches that their pace attack would otherwise generate for the squad. Their effectiveness in Tests, especially at home, has mostly been attributed to Kemar Roach’s pace exploits, with Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph providing further firepower.
Head-to-head:
Out of a total of 98 matches, West Indies have an advantage over the visiting team in the head-to-head matchup with 30 wins and 22 losses. 46 matches were drawn as well. West Indies also hold a 16-9 advantage against India in home games. Nevertheless, since May 2002, the hosts have not defeated India at home.
Where-to-watch:
TV: DD Sports