Windies vs India, 2nd Test: Key battles in store
West Indies and India gear up for the second Test match, starting on Friday. The visitors have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and need a win to seal the trophy. Several players will look to up the ante in the second Test to be played at Kingston in Jamaica. Ahead of the second Test, we look at the key battles.
Windies spinner Roston Chase accounted for KL Rahul's wicket on both occasions in the first Test. Rahul perished for 44 in the first innings after Chase pitched his ball around the leg-stump region to have him caught out. In the second innings, Rahul tried playing a horizontal sweep and was castled for 38. Chase will be eyeing Rahul's wicket for a third successive occasion.
Cheteshwar Pujara had a rare twin failure and was out to Kemar Roach on both occasions in the first Test. Roach teased Pujara with a fuller delivery in the first innings and the ploy worked. The Indian batsman edged the ball to Shai Hope. In the second innings, Roach's delivery nipped back in and caught Pujara off guard. Pujara needs to be more cautious.
Windies opener John Campbell has the tendency to play too many shots. A fuller delivery from Mohammed Shami did the batsman in during the first innings. In the second innings, a beauty from Jasprit Bumrah knocked off his stumps. He was beaten comprehensively. Indian pacers will look for the quick wicket of Campbell once again. The idea will be to cramp him for space.
Ishant Sharma bowled superbly in the first Test and was successful. The speedster got Shimron Hetmyer on both counts. The Windies youngster's patience was tested and it evaded him. He played two loose shots and gifted his wicket on both occasions. Hetmyer will want to avoid giving his wicket away to Ishant this time onwards. He needs to be more sensible.
