India host the West Indies in the first Test of the two-match bilateral series at the Narendra Modi Stadium (Motera) in Ahmedabad. The match starts on Thursday, October 2. The home team seem to have ticked all the boxes coming into this clash. They most recently won the Asia Cup by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in the final on Sunday, September 28. Shubman Gill, the captain of the Indian Test side, was also part of the Asia Cup side and will open the innings for the hosts. India’s strength in home conditions is almost unparalleled. The West Indies might get a taste of things to come in this match.
In the batting department, Gill and fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will be expected to torment the West Indies bowling unit. Their dogged display at the top of the order will be crucial. Perhaps the only question that India will have to face ahead of this clash concerns their bowling unit. Speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who is widely considered to be among the best in the world, has been named in the squad. He just participated in the Asia Cup final three days ago. Although he will be expected to play in this match, it remains to be seen how much Gill uses him. The team management will also need to decide what kind of workload the seamer will undergo on his home ground.
The Windies are led by all-rounder Roston Chase, who has several happy memories of playing in this part of the world. Home fans remember the off-spinner-cum-batter for his stellar century in Hyderabad in 2018 against the famed Indian spin attack. More of the same will be expected here. Now, returning to India as captain, a lot will rest on how Chase rotates his bowlers and spreads the field. It will also matter whether he gives everyone an equal opportunity.
Predicted Teams
IND: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav.
WI: Alick Athanaze, Tagerine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Kevlon Anderson, Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre.
Key Players
Ravindra Jadeja (IND): All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, named the vice-captain of the Indian side ahead of this series, has a lot riding on him. The left-arm spinner is also a fine batter lower down the order. He is the only senior player in the ranks save Jasprit Bumrah. His experience will count for a lot in this match. Jadeja is almost unplayable on spinning wickets. He generates turn and bounce from his short run-up.
Brandon King (WI): Batter Brandon King is primarily known for his exploits in white-ball cricket. He will aim to etch a name for himself in Tests. He usually plays on the merit of each ball and rarely throws his bat at deliveries pitched wide outside off. King will have to lead the Windies batting unit in this match. He has the potential to make it big every time he gets a start. The visitors will hope that he goes on to score a lot of runs in this series.
Match Prediction
India have a huge advantage over their opponents in this game. We expect them to win comfortably. The pitch in Ahmedabad will be highly spin-friendly. With the hosts likely to operate with three tweakers, things are bound to be in their favour. Kuldeep Yadav spun a web around Pakistan in the Asia Cup final. He will be the player to watch out for since his accuracy, lines, and lengths have dramatically improved. He can end up being India’s match-winner in these conditions.
