The first Test between India and West Indies was very disappointing because there was no test for the Indian players and it was more of a mismatch. I’m not trying to be disrespectful towards the Windies, but the difference between the No 1 side and No 8 side was very, very evident.
Will it be any different in the second Test in Hyderabad?
It could be, especially in the bowling aspect. The Windies’ bowling unit in the first Test was quite depleted, but now that Kemar Roach is available that will make a difference. But most importantly Jason Holder – with the ball, with the bat, he’s been phenomenal over the last couple years. He brings in that solidity and balance to the XI, but more importantly as a captain. He’s led this side really well in the last couple of years and in the first Test match I though West Indies looked leaderless. They let the game drift away from them in the field and while batting. Jason Holder being available makes a huge difference.
The other important reason why I have my eyes on this Test is because this series is a kind of preamble to the Australia tour, which is going to be very important. From that aspect, would there be any changes in the Indian XI?
I’m a little old school. I think in Test cricket you don’t try out much. In other formats you may. There is a possibility that Mayank Agarwal may be required in Australia, but as of now it doesn’t look that way. As and when it is required, I am sure he’ll get a chance. Same with Mohammed Siraj. Will he find a place in the playing XI in Australia?
Let’s look at the bowlers available for the Australia series. Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav are your top five bowlers and then Hardik Pandya should be available as your seam-bowling allrounder. Ideally you would like to see how Siraj copes up with cricket at this level, but as I said, I’m a little old school and don’t believe in trying out people in Test cricket.
There’s a good chance that Hanuma Vihari starts the first Test in Australia, because like with the last Test in England the team management may want to go in with an extra batsman. Maybe from that perspective you can get Vihari in for the second Test in Hyderabad. Maybe someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli or Ajinkya Rahane can take a break and Vihari gets a go.
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