After the two warm-up matches, it seems as if the Indian management is confronted with a lot of decisions to make. For starters, the team combination will be up for debate as all the players looked in good nick during the warm-up matches and also in the first net session in Antigua. By the look of things, Kohli will go in with 5 bowling options, which is an attacking option on pitches where the bowlers will not blast the opposition out.
Ravichandran Ashwin has already said that he does not mind being labelled boring as long as he sticks to his plans and delivers for the team. The pitches in the Caribbean are sluggish and often does not have the zip needed to trouble the batsmen, and thus patience will have to be way forward.
The Indian squad seems to have all the bases covered, and thus it will be critical to identify the strengths and build on it accordingly.
Here we take a look at 5 keys to success for India during this tour:
#1 Opening partnership
The new ball spell is one of the most important phases during any test match, and thus it becomes imperative that the openers put their head down and see off the shine of the red cherry. This will set a brilliant platform for the middle order who can then accumulate runs when the going gets a lot easier.
And this is where India have been struggling in the recent past. While Murali Vijay has been a like a rock at the top of the order, his partners have not been quite the same. Shikhar Dhawan has been struggling to get going for quite some time now, and even KL Rahul has not been very consistent.
This is one area which needs attention and fine tuning before the first Test match, as the middle order should ideally not be exposed to the new ball.
#2 Seam bowling department
This is almost at the opposite end of the spectrum, as much like the batsmen the Indian new ball bowlers need to step up and provide the initial breakthroughs, to make the spinners even more effective.
It is a different ball game altogether if a spinner comes into bowl with the score 110/2, as compared to 110/0. This is where the fast bowlers will have to make their presence felt.
As the pitches in the West Indies are expected to be sluggish and rough, the ball will be scuffed up and thus reverse swing will be another factor which will be crucial. In Mohammad Shami, India have a potent weapon, but he is returning from injury and thus his progress and form will be an important key to success.
#3 All-rounder conundrum
Virat Kohli likes to go in with 5 specialist bowlers, and thus the role of an all-rounder becomes very important to his plans.
The squad has Stuart Binny and Ravindra Jadeja, and now depending on the surface, either of the two will get the nod. While Jadeja had a fine outing in the second warm-up match both with bat and ball, Binny looked sharp in the net sessions.
If Kohli decides to include both, Amit Mishra might miss out, which will not do him any justice. Thus it will be a shootout between the Jadeja and Binny, which is not a bad headache to have.
#4 Ravichandran Ashwin
Over the past one year, Ravichandran Ashwin has become India's premier spinner across all formats, and his effectiveness in Test matches has become a well-documented story.
His form during the Sri Lanka tour and then in the home series against South Africa was exemplary. He has continued this form into this series as was evident by his spell in the second warm-up match.
Apart from his bowling, his batting will also be needed if India indeed go in with 5 bowlers. The off-spinner is more than a capable batsman and has scored both his Test centuries against West Indies.
The man himself is aware of the added responsibility which can be gauged from his intent.
"Batting is something I work very hard on. I have set some goals with the coaching staff, as to what I want to achieve - not just in terms of numbers, but in terms of how correct I can be, how much more solid I can become as a batter", he maintains, which is a positive sign for the team.
#5 Slip catching
A rather off-field criterion but fielding in the slips is a job for the specialists, especially in Test matches. This is one area where India have struggled for a fairly long time now. A lot of players have been tried, but no one has been effective.
Ajinkya Rahane has displayed tremendous technique against the spinners, but the cupboard is empty when it comes to looking for options against pace bowling.
Fielding in the slips is very different to fielding in the outfield, and thus this Indian team which is otherwise a brilliant fielding outfit has not found its due in the slips. The distance between the bat is very important and this is where Wriddhiman Saha, the wicket-keeper should take the lead.
Anil Kumble knows all about great slip fielders, as he played alongside Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman who were brilliant slip fielders, and this legacy should be passed on to this team.
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