… Test series against India will be tough for the Caribbean side

By Rajiv Bisnauth

FORMER West Indies fast bowler, Reon King agrees that the upcoming Test series between West Indies and India will definitely be a tough challenge for the Caribbean side.West Indies are currently languishing at number 8 in the Test rankings, just above Bangladesh, and King, who took 53 wickets in his 19 Tests, pointed out that India have a formidable batting line-up and the contest will be equally tough against the Indian spinners.

“Definitely West Indies young brigade need to step up. They were given an opportunity to play in their own backyard, and to play against a quality team, so they must answer their call,” King revealed.
The 40-year-old King added “West Indies are still in transition phase, but playing at home certainly will give them some boost. While the series will be challenging, I think ‘patience’ will be the key word, but having said that, India, on the other hand, are also going through a transition phase. They too have a young team,” King pointed out.
Despite the format, battles between West Indies and India have always provided that sort of flare that cricket aficionados looked forward to with immense anticipation.
However, the West Indies having faded as a force in the game’s longest format in recent years, and there is no doubt, however, that India will go into the four-match series as overwhelming favourites.
India have won the last five Tests series between the two teams – three in India and two in West Indies.
West Indies haven’t won a single Test against India, home or away since 2002, when they pulled off a stunning series win against the visitors. In all, 21 Test series have been played between the two teams.
India’s winning streak of five series equals the longest. West Indies had won the first five series played between the two teams from 1948 to 1966.
India lost 12 Tests before winning their first Test in 1971. If India win the present series, it will be the longest streak of series wins for one team. Overall, West Indies have won 12 series, India 7 and two have been drawn.
West Indies have not won a Test match against India in 14 years and have lost eight of their last 15 encounters and drawn seven.
The first Test against India begins on July 21 in Antigua, followed by Tests in Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
West Indies Test squad reads: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite (v-c), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Leon Johnson and Marlon Samuels.