India vs West Indies, 2018: 3 things we learned from the first Test

The 1st Test between India and West Indies turned out to be a one-sided affair with India winning the game by a huge margin of an innings and 272 runs. The game was wrapped in 3 days, and West Indies offered no fight with the bat on both the occasions.

Electing to bat first, India notched up a mammoth total of 649/9 in their 1st innings thanks to centuries by debutant Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. In reply, West Indies were bundled out for 181 in their 1st innings. Roston Chase was the highest scorer with a well made 53. Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for Team India with 4 wickets to his name.

India enforced the follow-on on Day 3 and the same story repeated. West Indies batsmen offered no application to occupy the crease, instead were on attacking mode and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Kieran Powell’s bold and attacking stroke play paid off to a major extent but his luck ran out when he was caught by the close infielder for a well made 83.

West Indies were bundled out for 196 in 50.5 overs and with this win, India notch up their biggest test win in terms of runs.

In a game that India dominated completely, let us look at the three things that we learned:

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#1 West Indies need proper Test batsmen

The current West Indies team is a bunch of youngsters who are inexperienced and lack the ability to face quality teams at international level. Although they have managed to put in a good performance on an odd occasion their overall record in Test cricket in overseas has been very poor. The main reason for their poor performances is due to the lack of proper Test batsmen.

Previously they had the likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo etc who would hold up one end in crisis. But the current lot does not have a proper Test Batsmen who can face quality opposition and spend time at the crease.

This was very evident today as all the batsmen showed no application with the bat and kept slogging throughout. Although Kieran Powell’s attacking blitz paid off to some extent, his dismissal was always on the cards.

For West Indies to develop as a formidable Test nation they would require proper test batsmen who could spend time at the crease and score runs against the opposition in any conditions.

#2 Kuldeep gets his groove back

Kuldeep Yadav has been a revelation ever since he made it into the national side. He made his Test debut couple of years ago against Australia and impressed one and all with his bowling in that game. He had a great ODI series and T20 series with the ball against England in England earlier this year.

He bamboozled the English batsmen with his bowling that helped India pick up crucial wickets at important junctures.

This performance earned him a spot in the 2nd Test against England at Lords. However, he couldn’t replicate the success he had in the limited overs format and was smashed all over the park. Kuldeep was dropped from the Test series thereafter and it was the Asia cup that helped him get back to his form.

He was instrumental in India’s success in Asia Cup as he picked up loads of wickets that helped India every now and then.

Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the 1st Test against West Indies was a surprise considering the likes of Ravi Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja were already part of the team. But Kuldeep didn’t disappoint his captain or the selectors one bit as he picked up 5-for in the second innings that helped India notch up an easy win.

This 5-for is Kuldeep Yadav’s first 5 wicket haul in Test Cricket and considering the form he is in, he is likely to pick up more wickets in the 2nd Test at Hyderabad and could possibly get a confirmation ticket to Australia, which will kick off later this year.

#3 Pant’s keeping skills are on the rise

Rishabh Pant started off his Test career with a bang in England. He got off the mark with a six straight down the ground of the bowling of Adil Rashid and announced his arrival in Test cricket in style.

His century in the final test at The Oval was applauded by the fans and critics for the grit and determination he displayed in facing the strong English bowlers. Keeping his batting skills aside, his wicketkeeping has been very good.

He was picked for the England tour ahead of an injured Wriddhiman Saha and an out of form Dinesh Karthik. Rishabh Pant has kept really well behind the stumps in seaming conditions in England as well as against the spinners on a slow low track in the 1st test against West Indies. The catch of Devendra Bishoo of the bowling of Ravi Ashwin in the second innings is a prime example of his good wicket-keeping skills.

With an extraordinary batting ability and good wicket-keeping skills, Rishabh Pant is likely to be a permanent member of Indian Test side and it will be a tough task for Wriddhiman Saha to get into the side.