India and West Indies are set to face each other in the first Test starting on Wednesday, July 12, at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica. Both teams have made significant changes to their squads since their last matches. Team India had a month of rest following their disappointing loss to Australia in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). As they prepare for the upcoming Test against West Indies, they have introduced some new faces.
Youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad have earned their maiden call-ups to the Indian cricket team. However, experienced batsman Cheteshwar Pujara failed to secure his spot. It will be interesting to see the team combination that takes the field, particularly as Rohit Sharma needs to decide who will replace Pujara in the crucial No. 3 position. On the other hand, West Indies will be playing their first Test since March. In their previous Test appearance, they suffered a defeat at the hands of South Africa on home soil.
ALSO READ: Yashasvi Jaiswal And Ruturaj Gaikwad Recall Their Precious Moments With MS Dhoni
The West Indies cricket team has also made changes to their squad. Rahkeem Cornwall has been recalled, but notable all-rounders like Roston Chase have not found a place in the team. Historically, West Indies hold the advantage in head-to-head Test matches against India with a record of 30 wins to India’s 22. However, their last victory over India came in May 2002.
India
Regarding India’s team composition, Rohit Sharma has provided some insights. He has confirmed certain positions in the batting order and mentioned the inclusion of a second spinner. However, questions still remain about the choice of the wicket-keeper and the seam combination. Jaydev Unadkat’s left-arm variation could give him an edge over others, considering India’s batting depth that extends up to the number 8 position.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat/Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj, Navdeep Saini
West Indies
In contrast, West Indies have dropped key players like Roston Chase following lackluster performances during their previous tour of South Africa. This opens up opportunities for debutant Alick Althanaze as a batsman, while Rahkeem Cornwall, who has been out of Test cricket for over two years, could take over the offspin duties.
Probable XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Althanaze, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Joshua Da Silva, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Kraig Brathwaite, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Jermaine Blackwood, Kemar Roach, Mohammad Siraj, Shannon Gabriel
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (vc), Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja (c), Jason Holder, Mohammed Siraj, Kemar Roach
