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India vs West Indies, 1st Test: Head-to-head and pitch report

By Omar | Jul 11, 2023 | 2 Min Read

Team India is embarking on a tour of the West Indies, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is. The highly anticipated test series is set to commence on July 12. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the Test squad, comprising a mix of fresh faces and familiar names. Unfortunately, Cheteshwar Pujara did not make the cut for this series, bearing the consequences of the World Test Championship disappointment.

Emerging talents Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been given the opportunity ahead of Pujara, with one of them likely to secure a place in the playing eleven for the first Test against West Indies. Meanwhile, seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami has been rested to manage his workload. Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar has earned his maiden test call-up, and Navdeep Saini returns after a significant hiatus since India’s historic triumph at the Gabba in 2021.

Ajinkya Rahane, the resurgent hero of the WTC final, has been rightfully rewarded for his stellar performance among the Indian batters. He has been entrusted with the vice-captaincy once again. Rahane showcased his form and resilience by scoring 89 and 46 in his comeback test against Australia during the WTC final, and he will be eager to carry his impressive form into this series as well.

Pitch

Over the years, the pitches at the Windsor Park in Roseau have typically favored pacers on the first day, with medium pacers maintaining an economy rate of around 2.5 runs per over and an average of approximately 35 runs per wicket. The pitch becomes more batsman-friendly on days 2 and 3, but as the match progresses, it deteriorates, offering increased support to off-break bowlers. Off-breaks have proven effective, averaging below 20 runs per wicket, with an astonishing economy rate of around 2.6 runs per over.