After a stellar show in the first Test in Antigua, India will aim to wrap up the two-match Test series and the whole West Indies tour in a grand style. On August 30, 2019, the Virat Kohli-led side will lock horns with West Indies in the second and last Test against West Indies in Jamaica. India have been dominant throughout the tour and will aim to maintain their supremacy in the second Test too. On the other hand, West Indies had a dismal campaign and will fight to prevent a white-wash. India vs West Indies, 2nd Test Match 2019 Preview: India Aim for Series Whitewash at Sabina Park in Kingston.
The Jason Holder-led side made a decent start in the first match as West Indies’ opening bowlers rattled India’s top order in the first innings. However, two brilliant innings from Ajinkya Rahane and five-wicket hauls from Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma led India to a 318-run victory. The first encounter may go down as a one-sided clash, but it had some real crunch moments, which made the match more thrilling. The clash witnessed some brilliant individual performances and also a tight contest between the willow and the cherry. A lot will be at stake in the second Test and the fans might well see some mini-clashes between the player. So, as the countdown to the second India vs West Indies 2019 Test begins, let’s look at some mini-battles that will be exciting to watch in the encounter. IND vs WI 2019: Keemo Paul Replaces Miguel Cummins in West Indies squad for 2nd Test Against India in Jamaica.
Virat Kohli vs Shannon Gabriel
The Indian skipper didn’t have a great outing in the first Test and looked unsettled in the tricky pitch of Antigua. Virat Kohli was mainly disturbed by the pace and bounce of Shannon Gabriel and the pacer also got better of him in the first innings. Gabriel bowled with hostility and took four wickets in the match. However, the No. 1 ranked Test batsman bounced back in the second innings and scored a fifty. In the second match, the Indian stalwart will eye a big score while Gabriel will aim to muddle him again.
Cheteshwar Pujara vs Kemar Roach
Regarded as the modern-day wall, Cheteshwar Pujara never looked comfortable in the first Test. The batsman struggled against the swinging deliveries and got dismissed by Kemar Roach in both the innings. Roach took five wickets in the match and advanced to the eighth position in the ICC Test bowler’s ranking. However, Pujara had displayed some great overseas performance over the last year and will want to replicate his heroics in Jamaica.
Darren Bravo vs Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah destroyed the Calypso Kings with his blistering spell in the first Test and the hosts will vary of the bowler in the second Test too. West Indies will rely on Darren Bravo to tackle the Indian pacer and pile up a big score. Many believe that the stylish southpaw is gifted with an essence of Caribbean legend Brian Lara but is struggling in recent times. However, Bravo will aim to end his dismal run in the second Test while Bumrah will challenge the hosts once again.
India aims to win the second Test and clinch another series victory while West Indies will fight for pride. A win in the second Test will double India’s tally in the ICC World Test Championships 2019. On the other side, the hosts didn’t make a great start to their Test Championship campaign and will aim to open their account in the points table.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2019 12:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).