India vs West Indies: 5 records that can be broken in India vs West Indies Test series 

The two-match Test series between India and West Indies will kick off tomorrow at the picturesque Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. The Indian team despite having a torrid time in the test series in England will be high after the triumph in the recently concluded Asia Cup.

Virat Kohli will be leading the Indian Team once again after taking a break post the England test series. Team India would want to continue their dominant record at home in test matches and are clear favourites against a relatively inexperienced West Indies side.

While West Indies will start off as underdogs, they cannot be taken as granted considering their recent test series win against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka earlier this year. Current skipper Jason Holder would be leading the West Indies side and it is a perfect opportunity to showcase their talents in the two-match series.

The two teams will walk on to the field with lots to achieve and here are the 5 records that can be broken in this series:

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#1. Pujara Nears 5000

Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara, who had a good series in England, will be high on confidence when he steps on to the field at his home turf in Rajkot. The dependable right-handed batsman has a tremendous record at home with an impeccable average of 62.42 runs in the 33 matches played at home. With 13 half centuries and 10 hundred, Pujara is the best batsman at home in the current squad.

Pujara currently has a tally of 4809 runs and is 191 runs short of achieving 5000 runs in Test cricket. If Pujara manages to score these runs, he would become the twelfth Indian batsman to achieve the feat.

With a home ground advantage at Rajkot, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Pujara reaches the milestone in the 1st Test itself.

#2. No Win In India for West Indies for a long time

The West Indies Team will look to pick up a big win

Once upon a time during the 70’s to the 90’s, West Indies was regarded as the most ruthless and unbeatable side in any form of cricket. But their brand of cricket has hit a low in the 2000’s due to issues with the board and other financial matters. Currently, they have a young team with lots of youngsters who are willing to prove their worth on the world stage.

India and West Indies have had fierce battles in the past, with West Indies often getting an upper hand against India both at home and away. However, the last test win for West Indies came against India in India was 24 years ago, when they won the 3rd test by 243 runs at Mohali.

Since the last win in 1994, West Indies have been to India 3 times but never managed to win a test match. Hence this presents an ideal opportunity for West Indies to break the shackles by winning a test match after a gap of 24 years.

#3. Prithvi Shaw the youngest Indian to make Test Debut after Sachin

A big day for Prithvi Shaw

The 18-year-old, Prithvi Shaw will be the 2nd youngest to make a debut and represent India in Test matches after the great Sachin Tendulkar, who started his career at the age of 16.

Prithvi Shaw already showed his class in the Indian Premier League earlier this year playing for the Delhi Daredevils. His attacking strokeplay against the fast bowlers has caught the eye of many and put him in contention for a spot in the Indian cricket team.

Shaw was also instrumental in India’s Under19 World cup victory earlier this year. Rahul Dravid, the coach of the U-19 team, has spoken highly of Prithvi Shaw and the selectors have given the nod and included him in the test squad for the current series against West Indies.

#4. Ashwin vs West Indies with the Bat

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has a very good record with both bat and ball against the West Indies. In the previous tour to West Indies in 2016, Ravi Ashwin notched up 2 centuries with the bat in the 4-match series that helped India win the series 2-0.

His ability to bat lower down the order has helped India umpteen times in bailing them out of tough situations. Currently, Ashwin has four centuries against West Indies and is second best to none other than the great Rahul Dravid.

If Ashwin manages to score one more century, he would have the joint record of third most centuries against West Indies along with Rahul Dravid.

In 9 Test Matches, he has scored 510 runs at an impressive average of 56.67 with a career best of 124.

#5. Kohli needs 37 more runs against West Indies

Virat Kohli will lead Team India once again after taking a break from the recently concluded Asia Cup. This series will be an ideal platform for the elegant right-handed batsman before the crucial series against Australia that will take place later in the year.

Currently, Virat Kohli has scored 502 runs against West Indies and is just 38 runs short of overtaking Mohammad Azharuddin who has 539 runs to his name. If Virat Kohli scores the required 38 runs, he would become the highest run scoring Indian captain against West Indies.

Kohli is currently second in the list above MS Dhoni who has 476 runs to his name against the West Indies. In 10 Test Matches, he has scored 502 runs at an average of 38.62 with his first maiden double century against the same opposition.