5 Players who can star in the first Test between India and Windies

India have their one eye set on the Australian tour and that means they would like to experiment a little bit with the team combination against the West Indies.

Windies, with a more settled unit than they had in the recent past, would like to create history on this tour. It has been a long time since they won on Indian shores. It was way back in 1994. It has been 24 long years, and they will definitely like to end this drought.

Let's take a look at 5 players who could star in the first Test between the two sides:

#5 KL Rahul

KL Rahul could have been the new star boy of Indian cricket, had he played the entire series the way he played in the final test against England. That century at the Oval gave him a reprieve and another go at this star player status, which he is definitely capable of grabbing.

With one opener spot already uncertain, KL Rahul can almost assure himself of getting the place in the first XI of the Adelaide Test even if he fails against Windies, but that is not the way he would like to start his Australia tour.

Windies have a good fast bowling attack in home conditions but having spent a near torturous month against the class of Anderson and Broad, KL Rahul would not mind facing this attack and that too in home conditions.

#4 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant showed the talent he possesses in the final Test.

Wicket Keepers with an exceptional batting talent have been the backbone of every great team in cricket's history. A Wicketkeeper who bats lower down the order and can change the game rather than just contributing a little is a rarity in Cricket.

Rishabh Pant has got all the talent in this world to be that sort of wicketkeeper-batsman, and he won't mind showing off some glimpses of that.

Coming off a dazzling hundred in the final Test, Rishabh Pant will be full of confidence to take on this new challenge. His form will be crucial for India as he can make a real difference down under.

#3 Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw is likely to make his debut in the first Test.

Having scored a plethora of runs in the domestic circuit over a couple of seasons, this young prodigy Prithvi Shaw is likely to appear in whites for India for the first time on Thursday.

India, auditioning for the 2nd opener slot with Prithvi and Mayank, each of them would love to cash in whenever they get a chance in dream conditions for a debut.

#2 Kraigg Braithwaite

Kraig Brathwaite has been the top scorer for Windies over a year now.

Having scored 664 runs at a healthy average of 44.45 last year, Kraigg Brathwaite has been the rock in the batting order for Windies. If Windies are to achieve a miracle or even compete against a ruthless Indian side at home, then his form is crucial.

He was in the squad that toured India in 2011 and had decent success with two fifties to his name. Having grown in stature and experience, he would like to perform a lot better this time around.

#1 Shannon Gabriel

Shannon Gabriel will be the premier bowler for Windies.

Shannon Gabriel gives you the feel of typical Windies fast bowler of 80s and 90s but more physically than by his ruthless bowling. He has come apart in last year or so with bowling many fuller lengths deliveries than before.

Picking 40 wickets at an average of 21.97, he has been the most important patron in the victories they had in the recent home cycle. At his pace, he will be handy with the old ball and his height will aid him to extract more out of these lifeless wickets than most other bowlers on both sides.