WI vs IND: 1st Test Preview – Caribbean challenge begins

India’s tour of the West Indies is set to commence on July 12, Wednesday. The two sides will square off in the first Test of the two-match series in Dominica’s Windsor Park. This will be the first game of the World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle for both sides and hence they will be hoping to kick it off on a positive note. 

The Indian side last played a game of Test cricket against the current champions Australia in the World Test Championship 2023 final in June. It was the second instance of the Indian side making it to the summit clash, but they lost their second consecutive final. Ahead of the West Indies series, the Indian side looks fresh as several youngsters too have gotten opportunities.

The West Indies, on the other hand, named a strong squad for the first Test as they will be looking to move past the previous disappointments. The team recently faced a massive heartbreak as they were knocked out of the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, which led to their World Cup 2023 hopes crashing.

Pitch Conditions

The team winning the toss might likely opt to bowl first, as the pitch typically assists the pacers. The pitch might support the spinners in the second half of the five-day game, while batters too might get some help.

Venue details: Windsor Park, Dominica

Last Test match at the venue: Pakistan- 376 & 174/8d | West Indies- 247 & 202 (Target 304)

Probable playing XI for West Indies vs India clash:

West Indies

The hosts suffered a blow ahead of the first game, as Gudakesh Motie’s injury led to the team making a forced change. Rahkeem Cornwall was added to the squad and is likely to play the upcoming contest while there also are players who might earn their debut cap.

Probable XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel

India

Team India have never lost a red-ball game against the West Indies on the Caribbean shores since 2007. The Rohit Sharma-led side would be hoping to extend the streak while also putting up a strong playing combination against the hosts. As for the team combination, youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal will make his Test debut.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini