India vs. West Indie 2nd Test: Will the Dhoni-led India side end draught at Kensington Oval?

Rahul Dravid

India is coming off a historic win at Sabina Park as they managed to win the first of the matches in a Test series at West Indies for the first time in history. Kensington Oval offers the visitors another opportunity to put themselves in history books as they look to end a win-less streak at the venue. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has led India to virtually every feat possible in the game of cricket but this team seems to be insatiably hungry.

India went in with 4 bowlers in the last match on a pitch which assisted both spinners and pacers. That number is unlikely to change however it is suspected that the Indian team management will look to capitalize on the help that is there for the seamers by leaving out one spinner for Munaf Patel. This means that India’s attack will most likely be constituted by Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh.

Amit Mishra will be unfortunate as he is left out, but Harbhajan’s place seems to be indisputable inspite of an ordinary performance in the last test. The turbanator is also coming close to a milestone as he looks to join the 400-club with the likes of Richard Hadlee and Kapil Dev.

There is room for change in the Indian batting line-up but MS Dhoni is expected to stick with the opening pair of Murali Vijay and Abhinav Mukund. Rahul Dravid did his job very well at Sabina Park but with the pitch assisting the seamers at the Kensington Oval, his job is likely to become more crucial for the team’s fortunes. “The Wall” will have to negotiate the short-stuff from a decently potent West Indies bowling line-up. VVS Laxman failed to make any significant contribution in the first test but that is sure to change in the 2^nd match.

Duncan Fletcher would be keenly looking at the youngsters. Virat Kohli seemed like he was still stuck in the ODI mode as he failed to materialize the starts he got. Suresh Raina played a substantial knock of 82 in the first innings and that is likely to give him a lease of life in Test cricket. He must make sure that his Test career does not fizzle out like it happened with Yuvraj Singh.

On the other hand, West Indies have some problems at hand in terms of team selection. Their captain Darren Sammy did well in the first test but he is certainly not a customer who will trouble the Indian batsmen often. He fills up a crucial place which could have been Kemar Roach’s. West Indies batsmen must come out with a lot of resolve if they are to make any mark in this match.