Team India will be going through West Indies away from residence in a two-match Test sequence ranging from July 12. This can also be their first project within the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and no marvel are being deemed the favourites to win the sequence. However, there’s greater than what meets to the attention because the bowling attack is closely inexperienced as in contrast to that of West Indies.
Even although the Caribbean facet failed to qualify for the World Cup, they’re a potent Test facet particularly at residence. They defeated England twice at residence and drew sequence in opposition to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The likes of Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder are established on the Test stage with 580 wickets between them whereas Alzarri Joseph can also be in his prime and is quick changing into the perfect quick bowler of the crew.
On the opposite, India’s pace attack carries a complete expertise of 88 Test wickets with Mohammed Siraj being the senior having scalped 52 of them. Mohammed Shami has been rested for this sequence to handle his workload forward of the ODI World Cup whereas suspense continues over Jasprit Bumrah‘s return to Test cricket. Moreover, India have moved on from Ishant Sharma whereas Umesh Yadav who’s reportedly injured (or dropped) is already 35.
Apart from Siraj, India’s pace attack contains Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar, Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini. Among them, Thakur has featured in 9Â Tests, Unadkat has performed two, in 12 years, and Navdeep Saini performed a few Tests in 2021. Mukesh Kumar is but to make his debut and this makes the pace attack look extraordinarily inexperienced in entrance of West Indies.
Siraj will have to step up not solely with the brand new ball but additionally when issues aren’t occurring. In case, the pitch does not assist spinners through the Test sequence, crew India may discover themselves in hassle and the inexperienced bowling attack will positively be put to test. The final time India went into the Test sequence with no bowler boasting of greater than 100 wickets within the format was in 2013-14 season at residence in opposition to West Indies the place spin performed a serious half.
