India vs West Indies 2013: 5 things under focus in the 1st Test at Kolkata

3. The West Indian heavyweights

Shivnarine Chanderpaul – he’s still there, and still making runs

Shivnarine Chanderpaul would be playing his 149th Test in Kolkata. Chanderpaul has been a constant thorn in India’s side and his good form currently – he averages 83.56 in the last 2 years – will be a source of concern for India.

Apart from just Shiv, India have the likes of Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels to contend with.

Gayle would be playing a Test for the first time in India since his debut, but he already has a Test century under his belt this year, and would be well versed with the Indian conditions to pose a credible threat to the hosts.

India would do good to remember what Bravo did to them in the last series – he averaged 67.33, scoring 404 runs, most by any batsman in that series. The left-hander loves a challenge of spin and would be the biggest threat after Chanderpaul for the Indians.