The first encounter of the two-match Test series between the West Indies and India is set to commence on July 12 at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica. This is the start of the third edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) for both teams.
While India had made it to the final of the previous two cycles only to lose to New Zealand and then Australia, West Indies didn’t have a great time for the second consecutive WTC cycle.
As the two teams gear up for the clash, we bring you the WI vs IND prediction.
Also Read: Sir Vivian Richards- Batsmanship dominated with Swagger
Contents
WI vs IND match preview
West Indies
West Indies are coming into this series on the back of an extremely disappointing World Cup Qualifiers campaign where they couldn’t qualify for the main event in India. Also, when it comes to the Test format, the Caribbeans do not have a great record in recent times, especially against India as well.
Moreover, West Indies last played a Test match in March earlier this year against South Africa. This is the start of the home season for them, and they will be keen on starting the new WTC cycle on a winning note. The team combination will also be a matter of concern for them with several changes made to the side.
Dominica!🇩🇲 Come out and support the #MeninMaroon in the 1st Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test of the summer!☀️ #WIHome #WIvIND
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 30, 2023
Get Tickets⬇️https://t.co/YpAvRXVMcR pic.twitter.com/MGUdAS6xWf
Rahkeem Cornwall and Jomel Warrican have been recalled to the Test team while Kirk McKenzie has earned a maiden call-up to the 13-member squad. The home team will miss Kyle Mayers and Jayden Seales, who recovering from minor niggles.
WI Possible XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Kirk McKenzie, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (WK), Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel
India
India have made a major change to their squad with key players like Cheteshwar Pujara left out while pace bowler Mohammed Shami has been rested for this series. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks set for his Test debut and is likely to open with Rohit Sharma with Shubman Gill moving down to number three.
Wicketkeeper KS Bharat is also expected to get a longer rope to prove his credentials, more so as a Test batter. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will look after the spin attack while Virat Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will be taking key middle-order slots.
The pace bowling attack will have a new look with Mohammed Siraj leading the way and with Ashwin batting at number eight, it remains to be seen if India will need Shardul Thakur’s services as an all-rounder.
Instead, there is every possibility of Jaydev Unadkat getting a game and Mukesh Kumar might finally realise his dream of playing for India.
That's one colourful fielding drill 😃👌#TeamIndia sharpen their reflexes ahead of the first Test against West Indies 😎#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/FUtRjyLViI
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 10, 2023
IND Possible XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur/Mukesh Kumar
Pitch report and expected weather conditions
Windsor Park in Dominica has hosted five Test matches so far and the pitch is expected to be lively up front. This has been a trend over the last few years and it gives the bowling first side every chance to make early inroads with the new ball. The batting generally gets easier on the second day when the moisture in the surface dies.
Moreover, the spinners also get the purchase as the game progresses. Hence, the team bowling first will have to make sure they are not chasing many in the fourth innings.
The weather in the lead-up to this Test match is full of rain and there is an 80% chance of rain coming down hard on the first day. Things are expected to be clear for the rest of the days.
WI vs IND Dream11 prediction
Our WI vs IND Dream11 predictions for this match
Here is our WI vs IND prediction and here is the reason why we have exactly picked the aforementioned team. Indian players – Kohli, Rohit, Gill, Jadeja, Ashwin and Siraj – are must-picks in the Dream11 Fantasy team thanks to their form and ability to perform across various conditions.
The wicketkeeper’s spot is filled by Joshua Da Silva. Da Silva is a better pick compared to Bharat, who hasn’t been great with the bat in the five Tests he has played so far, making only 129 runs. Moreover, if Indian batters dominate the proceedings, it is very likely that Bharat will not get much time to bat. India might also likely try out Ishan Kishan as the keeper in the series.
In addition, the West Indies players will make a lot of difference in Dream11 for this Test match. Kraigg Brathwaite is one such player who is a gritty Test batter and can spend a long time in the middle to score big runs. Jason Holder is another must-have player in the Dream11 team thanks to his all-round ability.
Here we have gone with Jaiswal as an extra batter due to his current form.
However, there is also an option to pick Jermaine Blackwood who generally likes to take on the bowling attack of the opposition. Among the bowlers, apart from Siraj, Kemar Roach seems to be a safe pick as he makes the ball talk whenever he comes on to bowl. On a lively pitch in Dominica, he might play a crucial role and pick up wickets for the West Indies.
As for captaincy pick, Ashwin is the favourite due to his stellar record against the West Indies. He has scored runs at an average of 58.75 in Tests them and overall, has accounted for 60 wickets in 11 Tests against the Caribbeans.
For vice-captaincy, there are multiple options in Holder, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, but this can come down to conditions.
WI vs IND match prediction: India to win
It is no surprise that India are outright favourites to win this Test match. Not only is their past record in the Caribbean brilliant, the team is much better balanced compared to the home side.
India have two world-class spinners in Ashwin and Jadeja and bowlers like Siraj can nip out early wickets with the new ball as well. Though the batting line-up hasn’t performed to the expectations in testing conditions, it remains a stronger one than the hosts.
Considering all the factors, our WI vs IND match prediction is that India will win the match.
WI vs IND toss prediction: West Indies to win the toss and bowl first
Rohit Sharma has had a better record at the toss ever since he has become the captain. But we are predicting the West Indies to win the toss and bowl first. The reason for the same is their only chance to put pressure on the Indian team is by bowling on the lively pitch on the opening day of the Test match. India’s batting is a little vulnerable against the moving ball. So our WI vs IND toss prediction is that West Indies will win the toss and bowl first.
Man of the match prediction: Ravichandran Ashwin to win
Our WI vs IND prediction for the man of the match in this first Test is Ashwin. He has an excellent record against West Indies in the longest format of the game. He has accounted for more than five wickets every match and also scored 552 runs with four centuries to his name. In the Caribbean, Ashwin has picked up 17 wickets in four Tests and also amassed 235 runs at an average of 58.75 with two centuries to his name.
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin wickets: T20, ODI, Test and IPL record
WI vs IND betting odds
WI vs IND betting odds for the first Test are completely in favour of India. India have dominated the West Indies, home and away, across all formats over the last decade. Understandably, India are favourites according to the bookmakers.
