India’s home season is upon them, filled with expectations and uncertainties. The national team is about to play its first home Test since suffering a 0-3 loss in the previous series. This match also marks Shubman Gill’s debut as captain in home Tests and comes in the wake of significant retirements from the team, including stars like R. Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
Challenges Ahead for India
This Test series presents a unique set of challenges. An unusually green pitch in Ahmedabad is likely to complicate matters, increasing the importance of winning the toss. India’s woes are minor compared to those faced by the West Indies, who have dealt with injuries to key players and recently lost a T20I series to Nepal, albeit fielding a second-string team. Furthermore, the West Indies team grapples with self-doubt following a poor performance where they were all out for 27 in Kingston.
Captain Roston Chase is aware of the low expectations surrounding his team, noting, “When you have nothing to lose, you can just go and play freely.” While India has traditionally dominated at home, including impressive performances from 2013 up until last year, recent experiences have exposed vulnerabilities.
Current Form of Both Teams
- India’s recent form: WDLWL
- West Indies’ recent form: LLLWL
The Absence of Key Players
India faces the significant challenge of adjusting to Ashwin’s absence in their bowling lineup, something not experienced since 2010. Ravindra Jadeja will play a crucial role in both batting and bowling. His performance may influence the team’s overall success this season.
On the other hand, Jayden Seales, a rising star for the West Indies with 88 Test wickets at an average of 22.32, could be a game-changer if conditions favor fast bowlers. This match in Ahmedabad will be pivotal for both teams in setting the tone for the home season.
Possible Team Lineups
India’s potential lineup includes:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- B Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy/Axar Patel/Devdutt Padikkal
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav/Prasidh Krishna
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
West Indies might field the following players:
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Kevlon Anderson
- Alick Athanaze
- Brandon King
- Shai Hope (wicketkeeper)
- Roston Chase
- Justin Greaves
- Khary Pierre
- Jomel Warrican
- Anderson Phillip/Johann Layne
- Jayden Seales
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The pitch in Ahmedabad is expected to be greener than usual, with 4-5mm of grass potentially impacting match strategies. Moisture levels and weather forecasts will also play a critical role leading up to the match, as intermittent rain has been observed recently.
Historical Context
Historically, the West Indies have struggled in India, winning only once since 1994. Among the team, only Roston Chase, Shai Hope, and Jomel Warrican remain from the previous Test series against India in 2018. Their experience could be vital in this challenging home season for both teams.
As the Test match approaches, all eyes will be on how India adjusts to new dynamics, while West Indies aims to defy expectations and play with confidence.
