West Indies vs India, 2nd Test, Kingston: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

West Indies vs India, 2nd Test, Kingston: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

West Indies India 2019

West Indies were supposed to be more of a threat to India in the Tests, but their 318-run loss in Antigua showed that wasn’t actually the case. West Indies did trouble India for a bit, especially on the first day when they sent back all of Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli cheaply to reduce India to 25/3.

But that was as good as it got. India woke up and kicked into gear, and soon, Ajinkya Rahane was back in form and Hanuma Vihari was cementing his place in the side. India only went from strength to strength, and by the end, Jasprit Bumrah’s incredible 5/7 had nailed West Indies’ coffin.

So, what do the home side do from here? For starters, their batsmen have to step up. Yes, Bumrah is one of the most-feared bowlers in the world, but that should entail collapsing for 100. A little patience and resolve is desperately needed, and Jason Holder, their captain, said as much when asking his batsmen to improve, the other day.

They will desperately need to do that, because India, once they get their noses in front, are usually relentless.

Head to head

India are gaining on Windies in their head-to-head record. With their win in the first Test, India have 21 wins over the men from the Caribbean, who have 30 wins. In 97 matches in all, there have been a massive 46 draws, but that result seems unlikely in Kingston.

Key players

Kemar Roach: Roach led from the front in the first innings, taking four important wickets to dent India severely, for a while at least. West Indies will hope he can once again do that and sustain the pressure, and attempt to give him more support from the other end.

Rishabh Pant: Young Pant hasn’t yet been able to show the game sense needed of a Test batsmen. With India in a precarious position in the first Test, Pant failed to knuckle down on the second morning, and for all his adventurousness and hitting power, it is that ability to play according to situations that he now needs to showcase. Can he do that in Kingston?

Likely XIs

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shamarh Brooks, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Jason Holder (c), Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel

India: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, G Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Prediction

India to once coast to victory, with Bumrah doing his thing.