INDIA SET FOR JAMAICA RUN
Kingston, July 29: Bolstered by the comprehensive win in the series opener, an upbeat India will look to assert their supremacy over an inexperienced West Indies with yet another commanding show in the second cricket Test, starting here on Saturday.
The ‘ Men In Blue’ made a confident start to the 2016- 17 season, recording India’s biggest win outside the sub- continent when they thrashed the hosts by an innings and 92 runs in the opening cricket Test.
India will look to continue in the same vein in the tour, which is Anil Kumble’s debut series as chief coach of the team.
But it would be easier said than done as a green pitch awaits the visitors at Sabina Park, a stark contrast to the conditions on offer in Antigua, where the visitors had won the match in four days.
Going by past records, it was way back in 2008 when a Test lasted five days at Sabina Park which Australia won by 98 runs.
Since then, five Tests have taken place here and all of them have finished within four days, including India’s 63- run win in 2011.
West Indies’ last Test here was against Australia in the summer of 2015, and that match finished past lunch on the fourth day. Given the very evident gulf between the two teams at present, the grassy wicket should expedite matters in this forthcoming match as well. While it is tough to say which team will be happier to see the green pitch, the hosts will surely feel that the equation will perhaps be more balanced.
The big win in Antigua doesn’t mean India will be complacent going into the second Test. The big difference in conditions on offer will obviously hinder any such thoughts, as will the fact that there are still three more Tests to go on this tour and their job has only just begun.
While India will find comfort in a settled lineup, there are some obvious points to ponder over like fitness of opener Murali Vijay. Uncertainity lies over Vijay’s availability in the second Test as still there is no confirmation on where he is fit enough to play or not.