Four in the firing line

But it’s the group of least experienced batsman (Deep Dasgupta, Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Mongia and Sanjay Bangar) for whom this is a classic make-or-break situation. For each of them, the tour is likely to be as tough as any in the past, Windies’ downslide notwithstanding.

Old-timers agree that this is the best chance for these boys to turn into men. Former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi says, ‘‘A weak attack and slow wickets will help, but still they have prove that they have it in them to succeed abroad.’’ Equally bullish is former India stumper Kiran More: ‘‘Though playing abroad is always tough, this is still the best chance for India to win abroad.’’ But Robin Singh, the all-rounder who was born in the West Indies and later toured the country of his birth on his debut series, says ‘‘it will be a tough assignment for them.’’

In the Deep

One of the more debatable — and debated — inclusions in the tour party. Had two horror series with the gloves and only redeemed himself with the bat. More than anyone else, Dasgupta is on trial, more so given the fact that dependable Ajay Ratra is also on tour. And waiting in the wings, should either of them slip up, is Parthiv Patel, the prodigious, highly regarded wicket-keeper of the India ‘A’ side. Simply put, if he fails with the bat, he doesn’t get another chance with the gloves.

Jaffer: New opening

Obvious choice if Dasgupta fails, the Mumbai opener returns to Test reckoning after three years, courtesy his century in both innings of a Duleep Trophy match between West and Central zones at Rajkot. But, and it’s a big But, the Central Zone pace attack comprised Harvinder Singh and JP Yadav; not exactly Dillon and Black. Jaffer’s Test record — two matches at home against South Africa – doesn’t inspire confidence: his scores read 4, 6, 13, 23. An ascending graph, but one blip if and when he gets his break and there’s another opener back in the waiting room.

Bangar: All-rounder?

It’s not very fair, but Bangar is on trial as the Next Kapil Dev, a genuine all-rounder who can carry the team with bat and ball. He can bat, alright; after three Tests, his batting average stands at an amazing 71. But his performance with the ball has been more of a no-show. Actually, he’s only got 20 overs in three games. Yes, he did score a hundred against Zimbabwe and his record on the domestic circuit is top class. So far, though, Bangar hasn’t been exposed to raw pace; against Zimbabwe it was the left-arm spinner Raymond Price who did most of the bowling against him while when he turns out for Railways it’s mostly on the dead wicket of the Karnail Singh Stadium, Delhi.

Mongia: True Test

A last minute inclusion for the injured Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia’s explosive heroics in the ODI series against Zimbabwe saw him catapulted into the crowded Indian middle order.

With no Test experience, Mongia will need to change gears for the longer version of the game to succeed. He can play more for than 50 overs, as his Ranji record shows, but whether he can sustain it at the very highest level is yet unknown. If not, he will be conveniently replaced by Sehwag…and can then aim to become the Indian Michael Bevan.