WI vs India 2019: Stats Preview and Expected Playing 11 for the first Test

Jasprit Bumrah set to return to the playing 11 as Team India play their first Test match of the World Test Championship vs WI

India have begun their post World Cup tournament with a dominant victory over West Indies in the limited overs. They whitewashed the home team 3-0 in T20Is, and 2-0 in the ODIs. 

The focus now shifts to the Test series, which is a part of the most important tournament, the World Test Championship.

This would be Team India’s first test match of the World Test Championship. Meanwhile, Team India start as favorite against West Indies having they have won the last 3 Test series played in West Indies, and is currently ranked number 1 in Tests.

India have all their players fit and fine, and that is only going to increase the headache for the team management. So, what’s the expected playing 11 for the first Test match between India and WI?

Let’s have a look at the statistical preview and the predicted playing 11 for the first Test match between India and West Indies. 

OPENERS:

#1 & 2: Mayank Agarwal & KL Rahul

There are not many options for India to choose from in the openers category. Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul being the regular openers, while Hanuma Vihari being the stand by. 

Hanuma Vihari opened for India during India’s last series against Australia, and he did a recent job. However, a lot has happened with KL Rahul since then. Primarily, he has transformed himself from an attacking batsman to a more watchful batsman.

With Mayank Agarwal confirmed as the first opener, KL Rahul should most likely open the batting along with him.

MIDDLE-ORDER:

#3 & 4: Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli

No surprises here as Team India’s most successful batsman in the Australia Tour, Cheteshwar Pujara and World number 1, Virat Kohli would play at 3 and 4 respectively.

LOWER-ORDER:

#5 & 6: Ajinkya Rahane & Rohit Sharma

Team India’s vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane is most likely to play at number 5 even after his mediocre returns during Australia four considering he is a specialist of this format. Above that, he has also managed to score a fifty during the Warm-up game.

Partnering him would most likely be Rohit Sharma, who has been in good touch in International cricket this year. Moreover, he too managed to score a fifty in the warm-up match.

WICKET-KEEPER

#7: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant was selected for the West Indies tour as the primary wicket-keeper in all the three formats. Considering that, and his superb returns in Test Cricket so far, he is most likely to edge Wriddhiman Saha for the wicket-keeper spot.

SPINNER:

#8: Ravichandran Ashwin

Three contenders for the lone spinner spot, and all three bring in unique capabilities to the table. Kuldeep Yadav has impressed in his short span in the team, and Ravi Shastri considers him as the premier spinner for India in overseas Tests. Ravindra Jadeja is India’s number 1 spinner in Tests currently, and his current batting form also gives him an edge.

Ravichandran Ashwin, however, is most likely to pip these two considering his record against West Indies, and having won a player of the series award during India’s last tour to West Indies. 

PACERS:

#9,10 &11: Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma & Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are Team India’s premier pacers in Tests. While Umesh Yadav did impress in the warm-up game, the experienced, Ishant Sharma is most likely to play as the third pacer. 

So, that’s the expected playing 11 for the first Test match between India and WI. 

Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(C) , Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant(WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. 

STATISTICAL PREVIEW | INDIA TOUR OF WEST INDIES:

Overall Matches Played: 49

India Won: 7 | West Indies won: 16 | Draw: 26

BATTING: 

1547: Most runs by Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)

132.25: Highest average (Min 300 runs) by Charlie Davis (WI) 

7: Most centuries by Sunil Gavaskar (IND)

11: Most half-centuries by Rahul Dravid (IND)  

237: Highest score by Sir Frank Worrell  (WI)

BOWLING: 

45: Most wickets by Anil Kumble (IND)

9/95: Best bowling spell by Jack Noreiga (WI)

15:74: Lowest bowling average (Min 10 wickets) by Sir Wes Hall (WI)

37.2: Lowest strike rate (Min 10 wickets) by Sir Wes Hall (WI)

4: Most 5-wickets haul by Malcolm Marshall (WI)

What do you think about the expected playing 11? Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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