After the horrors in their tour of England, it was business as usual at home for India as they completed a 2-0 series sweep of the West Indies in comprehensive fashion.
Virat Kohli and his men notched up a 10-wicket victory inside just three days in the second Test at Hyderabad in what will be their final Test international assignment before the tour of Australia.
With the highly-anticipated battle with the Aussies looming large, we take a look at the three things India have learned from their series win over the Windies.
SHAW AND PANT BRING MUCH-NEEDED BRAVADO
One refreshing highlight of India’s 2-0 triumph has been the attacking approach shown by two youngsters in Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant. The former has taken international cricket by storm after a superb debut ton in Rajkot where he plundered 134 runs off just 154 deliveries.
The 18-year-old opener has brought a fearless brand of cricket at the top of the innings, something India have dearly missed since the retirement of Virender Sehwag. He followed that debut innings up with a 53-ball 70 at Hyderabad and has all the makings to become India’s opening mainstay over the next decade.
In the middle-order, Pant has been unlucky to miss out on two tons by falling on 92 in both occasions but his quick-fire rate of scoring runs make him a dangerous asset to have in any conditions.
QUESTION MARKS REMAIN OVER KL RAHUL
With Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay dropped for the series, it was a chance for Shaw and KL Rahul to stake their claims to the opening slots. While the former has grabbed his chance with both hands, the latter has once again failed to show why India should persist with him in the longer format.
Rahul was abysmal in England for the most part before saving his blushes with a counter-attacking 149 in the final Test at the Oval. Against the Windies, he could only muster a combined four runs in two innings before registering an unbeaten 33 to finish the series off.
The right-hander seemed devoid of any confidence at the crease and there will be question marks over his spot for the Australian tour.
KL Rahul Last 9 Test innings:
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 13, 2018
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KULDEEP YADAV REAFFIRMS TEST CREDENTIALS
Kuldeep Yadav’s Test credentials had taken a huge beating after his ordinary display in England which saw him dropped from the squad after just one Test.
Back in the comforts of home pitches, the young wrist-spinner showed he still has a bright future in red-ball cricket with a 10-wicket haul across the two Tests.
Striking at key times, Kuldeep was the most impressive of India’s three-man spin contingent and his fine showing means he will be in contention when the squad for the Australian tour is announced.
#KuldeepYadav has taken 100 scalps in 46 matches
— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) October 12, 2018
.#Bumrah #Chahal #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/m3yyPGvdcX
