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While the hosts’ struggles could be attributed to administrative and monetary constraints, allied to a shortage of suitably talented and driven players, India has been consistently underwhelming at big-ticket events for a decade now despite the financial might and administrative resources at the BCCI’s disposal, and the world’s richest talent pool in the game, which regularly keeps throwing up prodigies. (AP/ICC) The cricketing engagements starting in Dominica on Wednesday could be described as a contest between two underachieving sides.
But while the hosts’ struggles could be attributed to administrative and monetary constraints, allied to a shortage of suitably talented and driven players, India has been consistently underwhelming at big-ticket events for a decade now despite the financial might and administrative resources at the BCCI’s disposal, and the world’s richest talent pool in the game, which regularly keeps throwing up prodigies. Making the business end of big tournaments is the bare minimum expected from India, but faltering there repeatedly does pose a fair share of questions.
Meanwhile, the West Indies’ relegation to the second tier of cricket teams, may be even lower, at least in white-ball formats, is now complete. Their failure to make it to the main rounds of last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia was considered a major setback for a team whose strongest suit was considered to be the shortest format. But at least they were in Australia before the tournament got into full gear. Their fate regarding their participation in the 50-over World Cup was sealed in distant southern Africa, and they would not get close to India when the mega event kicks off in October.
The fate of the upcoming two-Test series is considered by many as a foregone conclusion, with even Sunil Gavaskar saying that “the team that the West Indies is today, you can go one day before the Test match starts and you can still beat them.” But the West Indies have not been pushovers in the five-day game of late, especially at home. India will start as heavy favourites no doubt, but the hosts have a few players in their ranks who can spring a surprise or two.
West Indies’ falling stocks in white-ball cricket, and India’s recent domination in head-to-head contests – the men from the Caribbean have lost the last four Tests with the last victory coming way back in May 2002 at Kingston, Jamaica – have made the tour an unusually low-key affair. There has not been much promotion about the tour, which also includes three ODIs and five T20Is (two of them in Florida), and one could be forgiven for not noticing that the most keenly-followed cricket team is on to its next assignment.
West Indies’s most significant wins since the advent of the WTC have been two against England and one against Pakistan, and they have been hard to beat in familiar conditions. They have won nine Tests and lost 15 over the last four years, but have won four and lost three since India last visited their shores. It will be largely up to their bowlers, specifically their pacers, to fashion a major upset. In the last series too, it was up to the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin to bail India out after the top order went back with not too many on the board.
Onus on batsmen
Scoring runs has been a problem area for West Indies against India, with their batsmen struggling against both pace and spin. If they are to put up a fight, the hosts need to put decent totals on the board, and the responsibility flows from the top.
Kraigg Brathwaite
The West Indies Test skipper can be considered the very antithesis of Bazball. His favourite shot seems to be the block, and the innocuous nudge to the onside his most productive shot. With most batsmen around him not known for patience, Brathwaite won’t only need to bat for a long time, but for a big score too. His average of under 35 over 85 Tests isn’t eye-catching, but needs to add to his 12 tons for West Indies to have a chance.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
His famous surname may catch attention to start with, but the 27-year-old has a double century in his first six Tests. His opening stand with Brathwaite frustrated the Aussies on the last tour Down Under, and there are signs – including the stance – that he may have inherited the tenacity and temperament of his illustrious father.
Jermaine Blackwood
His status as vice-captain may inject a bit of added responsibility. A return of three hundreds in 54 Tests, with an average of just over 30, means that there may not be too many viable alternatives for the selectors.
Joshua da Silva
The fragile nature of the West Indies top order necessitates their wicketkeeper-batsman to come to the rescue, more often than not. He did so in a memorable long partnership with Jason Holder against England, which scripted a famous win. Da Silva could play the role of a loyal sidekick if one from the top order or among the all-rounders gets in.
Kirk McKenzie
He is just nine matches into his first-class career, and an average under 40 will not make heads turn either. But a double hundred means he can score big when he gets in. Team mentor Brian Lara thinks he has the playing style and attitude to succeed at the highest level.
All-rounders the backbone
The specialists often flatter to deceive, and it is often left to the all-rounders to fill the void.
Jason Holder
The former captain in all formats, he has been one of the shining lights for them over his 62 Tests. A batting average of just under 30, a bit higher than his bowling average, puts him in an elite category of all-rounders. That he has 155 wickets with eight five-wicket hauls, and three hundreds including a double century against England, make him a vital member of the side. The recent IPL saw a lacklustre version of Holder and he will look to put the record straight.
Rahkeem Cornwall
He catches the eye with his size, and can hit a big ball. But his prowess as an off-spinner is what is vital for this team, now that Roston Chase is not there. A seven-for against Afghanistan in Lucknow, and a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh prove he can be a threat if conditions are to his liking.
Pace is key
Kemar Roach
A veteran of the attack, the 35-year-old with 261 wickets in 77 Tests is capable of getting top players out with the new ball. He can get the ball to move away from the right-hander from wide of the crease, and is proficient in reverse swing.
Alzarri Joseph
The quickest of the lot, the 26-year-old has been making rapid strides of late, and has shown the temperament to shine in the spotlight.
Shannon Gabriel
He bowls a heavy ball and has an eight-wicket haul against Sri Lanka, along with five-fors against teams such as Pakistan and England, proving he is a threat for the top teams.
Jomel Warrican
The left-arm spinner has four-wicket hauls in Galle, Chattogram and Colombo, so can be trusted to do a job if the conditions suit him.
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