IND vs WI 2nd Test: Fitness levels, skills and temperament of West Indies in focus as they try to save series against India

India displayed a dominant show in the first Test vs West Indies, inflicting a big defeat on West Indies and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. This win was on expected lines, but the way Indians dominated the Test puts a question mark on the cricket played by West Indies. Simply put, the hosts were outplayed in all three departments. India, looking at ease throughout the game, ticked almost all the boxes with their batting and bowling both clicking together. Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front before debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal joined in to hit his maiden century. How can you forget R Ashwin, who once again showed what a crafty, genius bowler he is. As we move forward to next Test, West Indies will be under pressure to draw the series as India look to make a fabulous start in the next World Test Championship cycle.

The second Test is to be played at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. This pitch was a fast bowler’s paradise through the 1990s and into the 2000s. Back then, West Indies used to have a threatening pace attack. Hence, the nature of the pitch. Even today, this pitch still have something for the pacers. Yet, it no longer has the same spice.

Ahead of the second Test, West Indies have made an interesting change in their squad. They have added Kevin Sinclair in place of out-of-form batter Raymon Reifer. Sinclair is an offie. That is some indication of what the track could turn out to be on the morning of July 20, the day 1 of the Test. I can see West Indies selectors trying to bring in some balance with a spinner. I can also understand the pain for the West Indies fans who enjoy watching their fast bowlers dominate proceedings. They do have the likes of Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach. This is a good mix of quality pace, youth and experience. This trio has picked wickets in the past on these tracks and there is no reason why they cannot now. But they need to get it right. Pitch the ball in the right zones. There is no hiding from the fact that they were very poor in Dominica together and it was one of the big reasons behind the loss. India’s powerful batting unit turned out to be too good for them and Windies need to turn it around very, very quickly now to give challenge to the Indians.

It is also true that West Indies batters did not show up at all. Winning a Test match after scoring just 280 runs across the two innings is a rare happening. Kraigg Brathwaite must lead from the front. He and his opening partner Tagenarine Chanderpaul must ensure to give a good, solid start. They must look to bat for long, even if runs come at slow rate, like how India batted in the first innings at Windsor Park.

Coming to India, let’s first talk about the excellent Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is a wonderful story. He comes from a humble background and had to struggle hard but kept moving upwards despite many obstacles. Played plenty of age-group cricket before moving to Indian Premier League and finally showing his class after 2 editions of poor show in IPL 2022. His good show in IPL and domestic cricket handed him a Test call-up and eventually the debut. What does he do in his first innings of the debut Test? Smashes 171. Almost a double hundred. He is an exciting talent who has got off to a brilliant start in his international career and now let’s see how he goes from here.

Rohit needed runs under the belt too and getting a hundred must have brought a huge relief to him. One could see Rohit enjoying batting in the first Test. Positive signs from Virat Kohli too. He made 70-odd but he looked gritty.

Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are going to be a big challenge for this West Indies batting lineup. They hunt in pairs and when they are on song, they will blow away the opposition in quick time.

I would like to sneak in a small point on fitness levels that are required at this level and why the teams must give as much importance to this point as they give to skills. We have already seen how fit this Indian outfit is. You need to have high levels of fitness, especially in this format of the game. I have been a big fan of Rahkeem Cornwall, he is a good bowler and can smash the ball around. But looking at his big physique, his fitness levels are going to be exposed every now and then. To challenge this Indian side, all 11 players on the field must have the required levels of fitness.

I am calling India favourites again for the second Test. The pitches in West Indies have had dry surface for quite some time now. I am not sure what sort of surface the curator is going to produce at Port of Spain, given that the West Indies’ bowling strength still lies in their pace attack. It would be fascinating to see how the pitch plays from Day 1.