India vs West Indies: 5 visiting players under the scanner in the Caribbean

#2. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has an impressive record against West Indies

After maintaining a healthy batting average of 35 in his first six years of Test cricket, Ashwin’s batting average has dipped to 17 and 20 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Without this additional role, his bowling needs to be that much better.

But he is not the same force anymore. In India’s last three away tours, Ashwin’s strike rate was as high as 65 in South Africa, 76 in England and 86 in Australia. He has had injury problems as well in the past year. With the presence of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, Ashwin might not be the first choice on away tours.

However, there are three factors Ashwin's favour on this tour of West Indies. The first is his record against West Indies, both at home and in the West Indies. In 11 Test matches, Ashwin has a batting average of 50 and all his four Test hundreds have been scored against them. And He has taken 60 wickets at an average of over five wickets every Test.

On the slow and low wickets of the Caribbean, the Indian team is likely to go in with two spinners, which makes Ashwin’s selection more likely. Though there are no off-spinning competitors for Ashwin in Test matches, his performance in the series will be closely monitored.