After defeating West Indies in the first test match by a huge margin of 318 runs, India will also eye to win the 2nd test match in Kingston on Friday. On the other hand, West Indies will try to forget the last defeat and face India with a fresh mindset. Besides gaining 60 points in the ICC World Test Championship tally, there were so many positives for team India like Rahane’s score of 81 & 102, Vihari’s 93 in the second inning, Ishant’s 8-74 bowling figures, Bumrah’s fifer in the second inning and Jadeja’s all-round acts. But for West Indies, it was mixed of performances where only Roach and Gabriel performed well with their bowling in the first inning.
Pitch Report :
The pitch at Sabina Park is well known for its hardest and fastest nature. However, the surface will slow down with time because of its sluggish character.
Weather Forecast :
Once again, the weather may spoil the match with persistent showers. The humidity will be around 75%.
Team Combination :
India : Although, Mayank and Pant didn’t perform up to expectations in the first match but most probably, India will feature the same playing eleven. There is a slight chance that India may bring one extra spinner, considering the dry nature of the pitch.
Probable XI : Mayank Agrawal, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami.
West Indies : Considering their batting failures, Jahmar Hamilton could replace Shamarh Brooks and get his Test Debut. Also, Cornwall might get a chance ahead of Miguel Cummins.
Probable XI : Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope(wk), John Campbell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jahmar Hamilton, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach.
Stats and Milestone :
Last time, when India lost a match against West Indies, it was 2002.
Jadeja needs six wickets to reach the milestone of 200 scalps. Shami is also two wickets short from 150.
If India registers a win and clinches the series 2-0, captain Kohli (27 test wins) will go past the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni (27 wins) and will become India’s most successful Test captain ever.
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