India v West Indies 1st Test at Jamaica Preview: Injuries Could Hit India Hard
Things could get interesting when India takes on West Indies in the first Test match at the Sabina Park in Kingston in Jamaica from June 20. The reason for that is the number of main-player absentees that have beset the Indian side, with the issues revolving their absence continuing to harrow them through to even two days before the game.
Already, the main guys, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth had been ruled out of the Tests. This was followed by the news that Abhimanyu Mithun will miss out because he has yet to arrive in the West Indies due to issues around his visa and there is now a chance that Munaf Patel isn’t in the best of health.
With Murali Vijay also being hit during his practice net stint by a local bowler, India will be hoping to find themselves 11 fit players before the start of the game.
Suddenly, the West Indian side has some new-found confidence. They won the last two ODIs against India and had it not been for some sloppy work in the third ODI, they would have probably even won the series. They have, of course, been hit by the Chris Gayle-saga but in his absence, the side has another chance to build for the future.
Adrian Barath gets a chance at the top of the innings and he should open with Lendl Simmons, with Darren Bravo to follow. Both, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul should form the crux of the middle-order even as the side looks to pack their 11 with the ferocity of pace – something that India will not enjoy too much. The pace of the pitch could go a long way in deciding the result of the game.
For India, Abhinav Mukund will make his debut, opening the innings with Vijay if he regains his fitness. Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman should come in at three and four followed by a first chance for Virat Kohli at five. It will be one of S Badrinath or Suresh Raina, who will bat six with captain MS Dhoni rejoining the side at seven.
Praveen Kumar should, in all probability, get the nod to share the new ball while Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra will form the two-pronged spin attack. It is a matter who will be the second pace bowler.
India v West Indies 1st Test starts June 20 at Kingston in Jamaica. The match will start at 10.00 am local time and at 2030 hours India time.
