Players critical to the Indian team's chances in the Caribbean

Ritwik Mallik - Online Indian Cricket Editor 10:39 15/07/2016
A lot depends on these five if India are to do well

In the last 14 years, India have toured the Windies three times, winning two of the Test series in those tours. One thing that still eludes the team however, is a series win with two or more Test victories.

As Virat Kohli and company gear up for the first of the 17 Tests they are slated to play over the next 365 days, here’s a look at five Indian players who will be critical to their team’s performances in the Caribbean starting July 21.

VIRAT KOHLI

In Kohli’s first tour outside the subcontinent as India’s full-time Test skipper, challenges lie galore. How will he manage with a misfiring Shikhar Dhawan at the top? Does he intend to play four bowlers or five? Will he go all out against a below average Windies side or will he play according to the situation?

And amidst all that, Kohli has to maintain his control over the runs he scores after a forgettable debut Test series in the Caribbean five years ago. The biggest challenge though is in the fact that Kohli usually takes his game to another level in the face of tough opposition, so it is yet to be seen whether India’s talismanic cricketer has his competitive juices churning when facing a team that hasn’t ruffled too many feathers lately.

MURALI VIJAY

In India’s last tour of the West Indies, Murali Vijay was yet to establish himself as a mainstay in the Indian top order. What was expected to be a tour of reckoning for the young Tamil Nadu batsman turned out to be one he’d best forget.

In six innings, Vijay scored a meagre 72 runs at an average of 12. What was startling though was that 45 of those 72 runs were scored in a single innings – such was Vijay’s disappointment with the bat.

Half a decade later, the tables have turned. Vijay is now one of the more dependable batsmen in the Indian line-up and a lot will be expected of him if India are to get off to good starts in alien conditions.

WRIDDHIMAN SAHA

If Virat Kohli’s five bowler formula is to succeed, Wriddhiman Saha will have to play a vital role as the conduit between the middle and the lower order.

While the Bengal batsman hasn’t set the field on fire with his performances in Test cricket, these are still early days for him at the highest level. If handy performances in Australia and Sri Lanka are anything to go by, Saha has the goods to deliver.

With the gloves in hand, he has the extra responsibility of keeping against a three-pronged Indian spin attack on turning tracks that the Windies will offer – making this a make-or-break series for the Indian stumper.

RAVINDRA JADEJA

Another important cog in Kohli’s five-bowler strategy, Jadeja is the closest to an all-rounder in the Indian XI. The Indian southpaw will need to score quick runs to hasten the scoring pace late in the Indian innings and will have to chip in with wickets whilst playing second fiddle to Ravi Ashwin.

This is Jadeja’s first tour of the West Indies in whites, and his numbers suggest that he revels against oppositions lacking in confidence. Can India romp home the advantage with ‘Sir’ Jadeja on their side?

ISHANT SHARMA

Ishant Sharma was on fire the last time around as he picked up 22 wickets at an extremely impressive average. What was even more special was the fact that he took those wickets against a West Indian batting line-up that was stronger than the current one.

As India’s most experienced fast-bowler, Sharma will have to be the leader of India’s bowling groups – bowling attacking lines or tight spells when necessary. His abilities with the old ball, too, will come into play on decks that might assist reverse swing in later stages of the innings.

The prospect of Ishant Sharma leading India’s charge yet again is something to be excited about.

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