… but West Indies out to stop them in today’s third Test

IT was the fightback the West Indies team desperately needed. It was the fightback the series needed, too. India were on course to another thumping win against West Indies in Jamaica before a Roston Chase-led fightback helped the hosts stave off defeat and keep the series alive.Now, in St Lucia’s Darren Sammy Stadium for the third Test starting today, West Indies start off with the belief that they can make something special happen.
India, still going into the game as strong favourites, will know that West Indies aren’t the mere pushovers they seemed to be in the inaugural Test.
India currently lead the four-Test series 1-0, and with two games remaining, the Test at St Lucia takes a lot of significance.
A win for India will seal the series for the visitors and allow them to go for the jugular at Port of Spain, while a win for the home side will give them a shot at winning the series in the final Test.
India look a well-oiled machine with most departments working their way they want it to. None of the batsmen appear to be struggling for form, while the bowlers, despite the struggle on Day 5 in Jamaica, have been on top for most of the time. In fact, India face a problem of plenty leading up to the third Test.
Murali Vijay, if fit, will fight for a spot along with KL Rahul, who hit a fine hundred in Jamaica, and Shikhar Dhawan. Ravindra Jadeja has been warming the benches for both Tests, and could be a viable option should Virat Kohli decide he wants the extra spinner.
West Indies, on the other hand, have dropped the out-of-form Rajendra Chandrika and picked Shai Hope in his place. Hope, however, will stay on the sidelines, with Leon Johnson coming in to open.
The young and promising Alzarri Joseph is also waiting in the wings and will be raring to go if handed his Test debut.
The pitch at St Lucia seems to have an even grass cover on it, but the reading of it has been contrasting. While Virat Kohli reckons that the pitch is very similar to the one in Antigua and should thus help the batters, Jason Holder feels the pitch is one of the best in the Caribbean for the pacers and they should revel on such a track.
Today will prove who is right, or if both are wrong.
Ravichandran Ashwin needs 11 more wickets to become the 11th Indian bowler to take 200 Test wickets. If he gets there in this Test, he will be the fastest ever to the landmark, breaking the 80-year-old record held by Clarrie Grimmett, who achieved the feat in 36 Tests.
– Darren Bravo has just one fifty in his last ten innings at home. His scores read 9, 82, 19, 5, 14, 11, 11, 10, 0 and 20 (most recent).
– West Indies have never lost a Test in Gros Islet – winning one and drawing three. They drew their only Test played against India here in 2006 after conceding a first-innings lead of 373.
– India will be playing their 250th Test match away from home, the fourth team to the mark after England, Australia and West Indies.