India are going into this series as strong favourites. West Indies look to be struggling in all formats. It is also true that they have shown good improvement in the last seven Tests, they have picked up their game. But despite this good form, even at home, it is going to be tough facing a formidable Indian side. India did the right thing by reaching West Indies early and get the feel of the conditions via some inter-squad warm-up matches. These days when the teams fly in to play series straightaway and fly out immediately for next assignment, India have taken a wise decision to come in early and spent some time to better understand the conditions.
Men in Blue have made an interesting change to their Test squad with name of Cheteshwar Pujara no more featuring in the team and the No 3 slot is yet again up for grabs. It appears, to me, that they will go with Shubman Gill at No 3 to replace Pujara. In my view, Shubman Gill should continue opening the innings. I will be happier to keep him where he is and get Yashasvi Jaiswal to play at the No 3 spot. The only reason I see why team management would be interested in playing Gill at No 3 is because they want an established player to take up that position. However, I feel Gill has made a great impact in that opening role and should continue doing so. He has been scoring runs in that No 1, 2 slot and feel he should be given the same role in these Tests too.
There is a big debate on the keeping position as well. KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan are in West Indies as part of the Test squad. I would stick with Bharat and not Kishan. I feel Bharat is a quality keeper and better than Kishan in glovework skills. You always play your better keeper in a Test and clearly, Bharat is the one now, in the Indian team. Also, with two spinners playing in the XI, on a dry surface, you got to play the best keeper and look to get the bulk of the runs from the top order.
R Ashwin, to me, is a certain pick in the playing XI in both Tests. I was quite surprised when he did not play the final of the World Test Championship (WTC 2023) in England last month. In West Indies, on the dry pitches, Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja easily walk into the XI. At the same time, I feel sorry for Axar Patel as despite being so good and in such great form with both bat and ball, he will have to miss out. India, despite the conditions, don’t think will play three spinners. Jadeja and Ashwin are always going to be the first-choice spinners.
When it comes to the quicker bowlers, I am going to have Jaydev Unadkat in the XI. I have been a fan of his for-a while. I enjoyed watching him in the IPL. His First-Class record is excellent. He has a wealth of red-ball experience, having played 101 FC matches. Not to forget, the 22 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls. These numbers are just outstanding. Compare his record with Mohammad Siraj who is also quality and a terrific cricketer and someone who has picked 6 five-wicket hails in 59 FC games, and you get a clear picture on the importance of Unadkat. Not to forget, these bowling performances have come in flat bowling pitches in India. To have records like that in those conditions talks about excellence. Unadkat is not just a terrific cricketer, he also adds a point of difference being the left-arm pacer.
Hence, I am going with Jaydev Unadkat as one of the pacers for the first Test along with Siraj and Shardul Thakur.
West Indies’ strength is their new-ball bowlers
When you look at the strength of the West Indies, it is their front line, new-ball bowlers. Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph and Shannon Gabriel are three top-class Test match bowlers. They do have the ability to knock India back with the new ball. West Indies have recalled off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall. It shows West Indies are serious about bringing spin into the attack.
They have got a couple of talented young left-handed batters in Alick Athanaze and Kirk McKenzie. They both are uncapped, untried and untested. They are coming into the series after getting praise from the great Brian Lara, who said these young batters have great attitude and willingness to learn and if that is correct then hopefully the caretakers of the West Indies cricket will show patience to see them grow into top-class cricketers in future.
Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, at the top, are serious run-scorers in Tests. I think facing India will be a big challenge for them and something they will be looking forward to. West Indies have a good Test side but realistically, I am backing India to boss this series.
