With another series win in sight in West Indies, India Cricket Team has a dilemma of sort. With spinners dominating in Dominica, there are chances that the Queen’s Park Oval pitch in Port of Spain will also offer assistance to spinners. And that is where an additional spinner like Axar Patel could come good in India Playing XI for IND vs WI 2nd Test. The only pacer who can be dropped is Jaydev Unadkat who bowled just 9 overs in the India vs West Indies 1st Test.
The only dilemma for Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid is that rain could play spoilsport in Port of Spain. And with a cloudy sky, seam conditions would improve, offering some assistance to the frontline seamers.
Also Read: Rahul Dravid & Rohit Sharma mull Axar Patel option in IND vs WI 2nd Test
Axar Patel vs Jaydev Unadkat: Who will bite the dust?
- Despite the temptation of using a third spinner, it will come down to the conditions on the match day.
- With moderate to heavy rain predicted on all days of the match, the conditions may not be conducive to spin. Hence, Dravid-Rohit may want to retain a third seamer instead.
- However, if the weather clears out and the pitch does not remain under covers for too long, spin could dictate the match again.
- It has been long since there has been any Test cricket at Queen’s Park Oval. In the last Test in 2018, the pitch had a bit of all with good bounce and seam movement early on while spin dictated the last two days.
- In the last international match at the venue, India dominated with the bat in the rain-affected game. Yuzvendra Chahal then spun India to win with four wickets.
- If that match is anything to go by, one can expect the pitch to be low and slow.
However, other than the spin vs pace dilemma, India will retain the Playing XI that breezed past Kraig Brathwaite & Co in the 1st Test. After a sensational debut, Yashasvi Jaiswal will keep Ruturaj Gaikwad out to open with Rohit. Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane will continue at their designated No 4 & 5 slots. After not getting enough balls, Ishan Kishan will continue to be the keeper of choice.
As for all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin will be the go-to spinners after the two bagged 17 wickets combined in the first match. Mohammed Siraj will continue as the pace spearhead while Shardul Thakur’s X-Factor will keep him in the line-up as well.
Last chance for Shubman Gill
However, it may very well be the last chance for Shubman Gill to shine at No 3. After managing just 3 in the last game, Shubman will be keen to leave a mark as Test cricket takes a break until December’s South Africa tour. However, as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are both expected to be back, it might be his last opportunity to seal No 3 slot or fight for a spot in the opening or in the middle order.
To make things worse, if Cheteshwar Pujara returns to form in domestic and County cricket, it might be difficult for Shubman to retain his position. But Gill has found backing from batting coach Vikram Rathour.
“We can’t judge him on basis of one innings. He has a lot of time. He has the technique and temperament to play time if required and can also play an attacking game when a move on is needed. He can move the game forward. That is what we need at No. 3 as it can be advantageous.”
Vikram Rathour
Predicted India Playing XI
- Rohit Sharma
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Shardul Thakur
- Jaydev Unadkat/Axar Patel
- Mohammed Siraj
India Test squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.
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