India vs West Indies: India’s success story at Port-of-Spain
India vs West Indies: India’s success story at Port-of-Spain
India are currently locking horns with West Indies at Port-of-Spain in the fourth and final Test of the series. The visitors have already claimed the series with 2-0 lead in last three games and only a win here would help them retain their top spot in the ICC Test rankings. With Port-of-Spain being a result oriented venue, one can expect this Test to produce a result with India having an upper-hand, unless of course the rain plays spoilsport. India have had a good reputation at this venue and one would not be wrong in calling this as India’s favourite overseas venue. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs West Indies, 4th Test at Port-of-Spain
Over the years, India have played 12 Tests at this ground, out of which they have won and lost three each with the remaining six resulting in a draw. India have won three Tests at Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, which is also the most by them at a particular venue. The three wins came in 1971, 1976 and 2002. The first two were special from India’s point of view as they scripted history in their Test chronicle.
The first ever Test win against West Indies (1971)
This was India’s first ever Test win against the Caribbean giants in 25 Tests between them. It was the second Test of the series in 1971 and the four Indian spinners who engineered India’s victory; Bishan Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Salim Durani accounted for 18 out of the 20 West Indian wickets to fall on a surface, which had enough assistance for the tweakers. West Indies were dismantled for 214 in the first Test, after which India posted 352 riding on Dilip Sardesai’s tenacious ton. West Indies batting once again floundered for 261, which set a target of 124 for India to chase. Gavaskar continued his good form and carried India over the line with seven wickets to spare. This win eventually proved out to be a crucial one as India claimed their first-ever Test series against West Indies with the other games resulting in a draw.
Iconic victory (1976)
The second win in 1976 saw India inscribing their name in the history of Test cricket by chasing a target of over 400, which was hunted only once by Australia. India chased down the then second-highest Test target in the fourth innings of 403 runs. Batting first, West Indies put 359 on board with Vivian Richards firing a ton. India’s batting failed as they were bundled out for 228. West Indies declared their second innings after scoring 271 for the loss of six wickets. India had a mountain to climb but opener Gavaskar came out fighting. He plundered a century at the top and set the tone for the run-chase. Mohinder Amarnath contributed with priceless 85 runs after which Gundappa Viswanath got the job done with his scintillating ton. Indian scored 406 with six wickets to spare. Once again, Indian spinners played a key role by scalping all the 16 West Indian wickets to have fallen in the Test. ALSO READ: Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara’s inclusion a masterstroke by India
Sunil Gavaskar’s record
Gavaskar has had a splendid run at this venue and has meant business whenever he walked out to bat. In all the games played between India and West Indies at this venue, Gavaskar sits at the top in the list of highest-run scorers with 793 runs in his basket at a staggering average of just over 99 in five outings. He has four brilliant tons and couple of fifties to his name here. In fact, his average of 99.12 is also the highest at Port-of-Spain for any batsman who has scored above 700 runs here. Such is the legacy of Gavaksar at Queen’s Park Oval.
Why India have a good chance?
India have had decent amount of success at Port-of-Spain. Out of the last 14 Tests played at this venue, 12 have produced results. With Indian team being high on confidence, one can expect them to give their best shot and win this Test. Ravichandran Ashwin has been spine of Indian bowling attack and with spin playing a massive role here, the wily off-spinner will certainly look forward to make the most of it. ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin vs West Indies: Not much to read into
India’s batting has been a sensation to watch right throughout the series. Out of the seven centuries scored in the entire series, six came from the Indian dug-out while Roston Chase is the only centurion for the hosts. With Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara back in the side, India’s batting wears a dominant look. Indian pace attack looks more lethal with the inclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar who had a brilliant run in the third Test. Five Indian batsmen average over 40 in this series, whereas none of the hosts’ batsmen have managed to do so.
India were in good position on Day 1 with West Indies being 62/2 after 22 overs before rain played the spoilsport. The tourists now have a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 if weather permits as this would be the second occasion, where India will win three Tests in an away series.
(Suraj Choudhari is a reporter with Criclife and CricketCountry. He is an avid follower of the game, and plays the sport at club level. He has a radical understanding about the subtle nuances and intricacies of cricket, and tries to express it through paper and pen.)