A historic Series Win against Srilanka in Srilanka and close to white wash (3-0) against South Africa proved that India can win the test matches with the young energetic side. India is going to play 4 test Series against West Indies in the backyard of West indies from July to August. The test against West Indies will check the potential of Indian players and their approach to the longest form of the game after they played limited overs game continuously for the past 4 months. The selectors have roped Anil Kumble as the main coach and also appointed Ajinkya Rahane as the vice-captain for India.India’s young squad with the aggressive young captain Virat Kohli is going to face West Indies in West Indies. It is going to be a big test for the Indian players not only for players also for Anil Kumble the new coach of India. Anil Kumble is the one person who has experience playing in West Indies. Other than him Indian players Kohli, Ishanth, vijay and Mishra have played in West Indies in the squad which went on 2011. Apart from these players, no one has played in West Indies. India has won three test series in West Indies on 1970/71 which was the first maiden test series for India in West Indies. After that, India waited for 36 years to register a series victory in West Indies. In 2011 after winning the world cup India Went to West Indies and won the test series. Though they have won test series in West Indies but the margin of victory was one in every series. India must also consider not only winning the series but also winning the series with more than one match and make a record. The detailed record of India in West Indies is given below
Test Record in West Indies
| Year | Venue | Total | India | West Indies | Drawn | Series won |
| 1952/53 | West Indies | 5 | – | 1 | 4 | West Indies |
| 1961/62 | West Indies | 5 | – | 5 | – | West Indies |
| 1970/71 | West Indies | 5 | 1 | – | 4 | India |
| 1975/76 | West Indies | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | West Indies |
| 1982/83 | West Indies | 5 | – | 2 | 3 | West Indies |
| 1988/89 | West Indies | 4 | – | 3 | 1 | West Indies |
| 1996/97 | West Indies | 5 | – | 1 | 4 | West Indies |
| 2001/02 | West Indies | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | West Indies |
| 2006 | West Indies | 4 | 1 | – | 3 | India |
| 2011 | West Indies | 3 | 1 | – | 2 | India |
| Total | 45 | 5 | 16 | 24 |
Indian Squad Analysis
Squad
Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Stuart Binny.
Batsman
The opening combination would be Murali Viay and Shikar Dhawan . The recent
‘Monk’ Murali Vijay who patiently waits and leaves the ball around off side is a temperament that recently developed by him and also he is in great touch with bat and will hope to continue to do so in West Indies. Shikar dhawan only knows when he will be in touch or when he will be in lack of form. He will be the first preference for the opening match against West Indies and if he finds his Midas touch then he will pass with flying colors. Lokesh Rahul will be part of a team and will be ready to play if any openers got injured. Cheteshwar Pujara Who is Consistency player in sub continent has a great chance to prove that he is also a good player at overseas. Pujara‘s average 32 outside subcontinent does not fit for a batsman as his caliber which he will hope to improve in this series. Virat Kohli made his test debut in West Indies in 2011 and he will be looking forward to win the series and get some runs in his bag. After his great form in IPL, we hope that it will continue in West Indies also. Ajinkya Rahane who scored hundreds in England Australia Srilanka and scores of 96 and 98 in South Africa and Bangladesh shows that he is the player who scores runs continuously in overseas. Rohit Sharma Debut hundred came against West Indies and he loves to play in West Indies. But to play in the 11 men squad is the management decision.
Wicket Keeper
Wriddhiman Saha roped as a wicketkeeper for the series against west indies. His keeping behind the stumps makes him real saga but to stay in the team he must also improve his batsman against West Indies.
All Rounder
The Indian Team has opted Ravindra Jadeja and Stuart Binny as an all-rounder. After taking 23 wickets at an average of 10.82 against South Africa makes him an important member in the 11. Binny, on the other hand, has brought in as a genuine all-rounder may only get a chance depending on the pitch conditions.
Spinners
The Spin Department will bank upon the shoulders of Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra. However, the recent performances of Ashwin – Jadeja duo against South Africa make Mishra difficult in the 11 men squad.
Bowlers
The selectors have gone for five ferocious pacers namely as Ishanth Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvanesh Kumar, Umesh Yadav, and including the debutant Shardul Thakur. Base on Kohli mindset and aggressive instinct to take ten wickets he would play with three fast bowlers. Ishanth and Shami would be the first choice for Kohli and based on the pitch Umesh and Bhuvanesh would be selected. Thakur will wait for his chances.
