With just 6 wickets needed on the fifth day to wrap up a comprehensive victory, fans backed India to finish the game soon. However, thanks to the utter grit and determination of the West Indian batsmen, the match ended in a draw. The West Indies middle order set an example for the rest of the side with their stellar knocks and by the virtue of their hard work, India head to St. Lucia with plenty to ponder.
Despite still having a 1-0 lead in the series, there would be some uneasiness within the Indian camp. The factor though which will be most disappointing would be the form displayed by leg spinner Amit Mishra. On a dead slow surface, Mishra failed to get the optimum turn and as a result, the West Indies batsmen had no issues in taking him apart for runs.
Post the test, former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar stated that Mishra could well be dropped for the third test. “India might look to replace Mishra in St Lucia,” said Manjrekar in his column with ESPN Cricinfo. “When the pitch provides no assistance, Amit Mishra is not as effective, and that could mean is he left out for the next Test,” he said.
The former Indian batsman was also skeptical about the Indian bowling and said that the visitors didn’t seem to have a Plan B on the sluggish surface of Jamaica. “India didn’t seem to have a Plan B.” “India’s bowlers did not experiment enough on a slow fifth-day track in Kingston to come out tops in the second test,” Manjrekar further added.
The commentator also praised all rounder Roston Chase for his fighting knock, and said that he could well become a long term middle order prospect for the West Indies in tests. “Roston Chase proved his skills at the highest level with an exceptional all-round performance in the second Test in Jamaica, said Manjrekar.