Published: Jul 14, 2016, 06:47 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 14, 2016, 10:10 PM (IST)
India are set to tour West Indies for four-match Test series starting July 21. This will be the first bilateral 5-day series between the two sides since 2013, and first at the Caribbean since 2011. On both the occasions, India came out victorious, without shedding much sweat. This time around, both the teams are much changed from their last meeting. For India, Virat Kohli is the skipper and is leading a new looking team forward. As for West Indies, Jason Holder will skipper the very much changed Test side. Considering West Indies are the home team, they should be considered the favorites, but it isn’t the case. The onus is very much on India to achieve success, and that too in dominant fashion. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs West Indies, 1st Test match
Firstly, the Indian team are currently ranked No.2 in ICC Test rankings, and have some of the best talents within. With the likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin in the ranks, they are the heavyweights on paper. As for West Indies, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo are the only experienced players in the team, which is filled with youngsters and new talents. The difference of quality on show is quite evident, which puts all the pressure on India to produce convincing displays.
Secondly, all the hype coming onto this tour has been about the appointment of Anil Kumble as the head coach of India cricket team. Kumble, who beat Ravi Shastri to the post, has been very vocal about his training methods and his coaching regime. Till date, his methods have been impressive to the naked eye, but results is what he needs to back it up. He and India have been backed to succeed, so the level of expectation is way too high, which adds a little pressure.
Finally, West Indies have been shambolic in Test cricket since the past 3 years. In total of 23 Test matches, they have only managed to win four, losing an astonishing 15 matches. India on the hindsight, won their previous Test series 3-0 against South Africa in 2015. The talk during that series was all about pitches, which overshadowed Indian players’ performances. There is more than fair share of pressure on Kohli and co to prove the world that series wasn’t a one-off.
To sum it up, India are the much favorites going into this tour. Their squad balance, team strength, recent form suggest a dominant display over the hosts. But this is where the pressure factors come in. The thought of losing to a West Indian team who have been shocking in Tests will definitely come in the minds of the Indian players. In the end, it’s safe to say to say the West Indian players will go on about their business without much tension, knowing no one backs them to win. And that is the very reason why the complete pressure is on Kumble, Kohli and Team India.
(R Narayan is a reporter with CricketCountry, and is an ardent cricket and football enthusiast (big Manchester United fan). Having followed cricket since 2003, he likes high scoring matches as well as good fast bowling. His Twitter handle is @RNarayan24nov)
