Published: Aug 30, 2019, 10:51 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 31, 2019, 03:52 AM (IST)
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Day 1 of the second Test between India and West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica on Friday.
IND vs WI Preview
Jasprit Bumrah displayed a new-found ability to swing the red cricket ball both ways as India claimed 60 World Test Championship points in Antigua with a record 318-run win over West Indies in the first Test.
Now on top of the WTC table, Virat Kohli‘s team will believe they can double their tally when they meet West Indies in the second Test starting Friday at Kington’s Sabina Park.
Bumrah recorded the most economical five-wicket haul by an Indian bowler when he ransacked West Indies with 5/7 on what proved the last day in Antigua, with four of victims bowled. Set an improbable target of 419, West Indies were bowled out for 100 in 26.5 overs for their lowest Test innings total against India. So devastating was Bumrah, that two Caribbean fast-bowling legends were prompted to wonder what he would have been like as part of that fabled West Indian quartet of the 1980s.
How does Jason Holder‘s team bounce back from a loss like that?
The West Indies skipper was left searching for words, and has demanded that the batsmen deliver. The problem is, the batting isn’t settled. The opener John Campbell is four Tests old; Shamarh Brooks made his debut in Antigua at the age of 30; Darren Bravo could not buy runs during the World Cup and before that, struggled in the Tests against England; and Shimron Hetmyer has not had a fixed batting spot.
West Indies’ major challenge is to cope with India’s strong pace attack comprising Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
India themselves will hope that Mayank Agarwal builds on the promise shown during his first two Test matches in Australia, and puts behind him a poor outing in Antigua. His opening partner KL Rahul was left dismayed at two aborted starts, both times out to Roston Chase’s offspin, and will need a strong Test at Sabina Park to convince that he belongs in that role.
With rain expected on days one and four of the second Test, this match is set to be somewhat hampered.
