India will begin the second and final Test of the ongoing Test series against the host side Windies with the 1-0 lead. Sabina Park (Kingston) will host the final Test of this series from Friday (30th August).
The visitors won the first Test of this series at Antigua by 318 runs – India’s largest Test victory (by runs) outside the home.
Here are the predicted XI of the Indian national cricket team for the Kingston Test against Windies.
KL Rahul
The 27-year-old KL Rahul was in the good touch in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. In the last Test at Antigua, Rahul played good cricket but failed to capitalise his starts to the big scores. While the Indian team was struggling on 25/3 in the first innings of Antigua Test, Rahul scored a crucial 44 runs. Later, in the second innings, the right-handed opening batsman scored 38 runs. Rahul, who is struggling with his form in Test cricket, slightly impressed with his Antigua Test performances, but needs to take more responsibilities as an opening batsman.
Mayank Agarwal
The right-handed opener Mayank Agarwal is a very talented batsman. After playing five Test innings (three Tests), Agarwal has scored 216 runs with an average of 43.20. Due to his impressive batting in his first two Tests during the last Australia tour, Agarwal maintained his place for the Antigua Test. However, he failed to keep his impressive batting performances as he scored only five and 16 runs in that game. But, team management is unlikely to drop him immediately from the playing XI.
Cheteshwar Pujara
In the last season, Cheteshwar Pujara was in the golden form with the bat. At present, the right-handed batsman is the no.4-ranked Test batsman. The Indian fans are eagerly waiting to see Pujara’s magic in this season too. In the Antigua Test, Pujara managed to score only 2 and 25 runs. However, his century (100 runs) in the three-day tour game ahead of the Antigua Test is proof of his excellent form.
Virat Kohli (c)
The no.1-ranked Test batsman Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in this generation. He hardly remains in the of form for a long time. After good performances in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the Indian captain Kohli maintained those performances in the limited-overs series in this tour. In the Antigua Test, Kohli scored only nine runs in the first innings but scored 51 runs in the second innings.
Ajinkya Rahane
After a lengthy two-year waiting, the Indian Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane scored an international century during the Antigua Test. Before that Test match, he was little doubtful for the playing XI due to strong competition with Rohit Sharma. While he continued his Test place, this time he paid the perfect price. Rahane scored 81 and 102 runs in that Test match and won the Player of the Match award for playing the crucial match-winning knocks.
Hanuma Vihari
In his limited Test opportunities, Hanuma Vihari has shown his strong character with the bat. During the Antigua Test, he played two crucial innings for the national team. While India were struggling in the first innings, he scored 32 runs. In the second innings, Vihari just missed his maiden Test century as he scored 93 runs. His presence also provides an extra part-time bowling opportunity for the squad.
Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
Last time, Wriddhiman Saha played for the national team during the Cape Town Test in January 2018. Since then, he battled with his fitness issues for a long time. Finally, he has returned to the national squad for the ongoing Test series. However, Rishabh Pant beat him for the Antigua Test playing XI fight. But Pant is currently struggling, and it can open the opportunity for the 34-year-old Wriddhiman Saha. Moreover, Pant has played all the international matches of this tour, so the team management can think to rest him for the upcoming Kingston Test.
Ravindra Jadeja
The left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja is once again growing up. From the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Jadeja is performing well for the national team in every aspect. In the last Test at Antigua, Jadeja scored a crucial 58 runs in the first innings (also scored 1* in the second innings) and also took two wickets during Windies’ first innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has a very rich Test record against the Caribbean side. Moreover, the Indian spinners have performed well at Sabina Park (Kingston) in the last few years. These two are significant reasons why Ashwin can make a comeback in the forthcoming Test match.
Ishant Sharma
With the growth of experiences, the tall-pacer Ishant Sharma is becoming a more dangerous bowler. He is now very consistent with the ball in hand. The right-arm pacer bagged a total of eight wickets in the last Test at Antigua. Moreover, he scored the crucial 19 runs off 62 balls in the first innings of that Test match which secured India to cross 250 runs in that innings.
Jasprit Bumrah
The right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah is the most crucial bowler in the present Indian bowling line-up. After the last Test, Bumrah has climbed up to the top 10 Test bowling rankings (no.7 rank) for the first time. His dominating bowling in the fourth innings destroyed Windies batting line-up. Bumrah finished that innings with the bowling figures of 8-4-7-5 as the host side were bundled out for just 100 runs. His bowling massively helped India to win that Test match with a record margin.