Uzair Rizvi, BeyondHeadlines
As India take on West Indies on Tuesday, the team is on the verge of achieving an unconquerable feat by winning both the ODI and the TEST series in the Caribbean.
The Indians hold a 1-0 lead in the three test series, following a 63-run victory in the first test at Jamaica. And prepare to tackle the hosts on bouncy track at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Both Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar were in their elements at Sabina Park rattling up the Windies batsmen. Amit Mishra and Harbhajan were instrumental with their line and length skidding the hosts off their feet.
The bowlers covered up well for them in the first match, when the batting could only post par totals of 246 and 252.
The bowling attack could see a change if Munaf Patel recovers from his injury. He is likely to replace Amit Mishra and will have a go on a lively pace track.
India would also be looking at their batting; barring Rahul Dravid and Suresh Raina none of the other Indian batsmen added much value.
VVS Laxman would be the most disappointed, but possesses the tenacity to fight back.
Kohli,Vijay and Mukund failed to make use of the opportunity,skipper MS Dhoni may ponder replacing Mukund with Parthiv Patel, hoping for a little more stability than they had in the first test.
On the other hand,West Indies are one down and though they did try to run the visitors close in the first game, at no stage in the game did they look like the match was within their grasp.
This will need to change, the hosts need to lift up their game, it will require the home team to bat long periods.
West Indies batted less than 70 overs in both the innings. It was just a purposeful bowling that was their strength in the first test but they need a solid batting to avoid defeat in the second test.
Barath, who scored a quick half-century in second innings, showed little resistance but gifted away his wicket.
The lack of form for the experienced duo of Sarwan and Chaderpaul has added to their woes.
The selectors have come up with a change by replacing Vice-captain Brendan Nash with Kirk Edwards. Marlon Samuels will join the playing eleven though.
However, West Indies bowlers must be credit for their performance in the first game with Bishoo scalping seven wickets with able support of Fidel Edwards and Darren Sammy. Their bowling has been penetrative but lacks depth.
There have been suggestions that the hosts may include Kemar Roach and shorten their batting line-up, giving their attack a stiffer look.
Gayle remains out of team due to his unresolved dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.
West Indies have appointed world-famous sports psychologist Rudi Webster to help cultivate a greater mental toughness for their players, but only for this series.
It’s raining persistently in Barbados and is hard to imagine the test match without being interrupted by rain.
The visitors have an unfaltering record at Kensington Oval, having lost all their five previous games. This might just be the best chance to set that record straight.
While the host will look to bounce back on level terms.
Likely Team-
INDIA- MS Dhoni(Capt.), Parthiv Patel(Wkp), A.Mukund, V.Kohli, R.Dravid, VVS Laxman, S.Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel
WEST INDIES- D.Sammy(Capt.), C.Baugh(Wkp), A.Barath, L.Simmons, Darren Bravo, R.Sarwan, S. Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, F.Edwards, R.Rampaul, D.Bishoo
