Follow UsIndia rolled over West Indies in a domineering fashion in Dominica, securing an innings and 141-run win. The spin-friendly wicket had given it away the kind of team combination that the visitors would aspire for, but it was never going to be easy for the team to decide on a combination for the second Test at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad, with rain predicted for the majority of the match.
Would India drop a spinner and add an extra pace impetus to the playing XI? Would India play an extra batter on the surface that might not be easy for them to put up a huge score? A lot of questions are floating around, but skipper Rohit Sharma hinted that there wouldn’t be any huge change in the team structure.
“In Dominica, we were clear, we saw the pitch conditions and knew what was about to happen. Here we don’t have clarity as there is talk of rain, but I don’t think there will be any drastic changes. But whatever conditions are available on the five days of the Test, based on that, we will make that decision,” Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.
Even though India played both Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the first Test, the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan indicated that they are looking at a phase of transition. Rohit acknowledged the same, whale adding that it’s upto the individuals to make the best of the opportunities given to them.
“Transition has to happen, whether today or tomorrow but I am happy that our boys who are coming in are doing well. And our role is important as we have to give them role clarity. Now it’s up to them how they want to prepare and perform for the team. And we rely on those individuals and obviously they are the future of Indian cricket and they will take Indian cricket to greater heights," Rohit added.
While the current West Indies team don’t inspire much confidence in any format of the game, they still hold a 30-23 win-loss record against India in Test cricket - a tribute to the glory days that saw both India and West Indies playing some really memorable games of cricket. As both sides head to play their 100th Test match, Rohit hopes that Windies would bounce back from the demoralizing loss to put up an even contest.
“It’s a big occassion. It’s an honour to be taking the Indian team into this game and it doesn’t happen every day. The two teams have so much history, so much of good cricket played. I will expect no different in this Test. I am sure they (Windies) will bounce back and it will be exciting for both teams,” the Indian skipper added.