The very name ‘West Indies’ once conjured images of cricketing titans, a team that captivated fans globally, second only to their home nations. Their style was nothing short of extraordinary: thrilling, dominant, and almost superhuman. With a pace battery that terrorized even the world’s finest batsmen and a batting lineup capable of dismantling any bowling attack, they reigned supreme. This natural flair and incredible athleticism not only saw them dominate Test cricket but also secure the first two limited-overs World Cups in England in 1975 and 1979.
However, those glorious days are a distant memory. The West Indies no longer hold sway over the cricketing world, a reality that has persisted for quite some time. While they have enjoyed T20 World Cup success, their Test wins against top nations are now often viewed as significant upsets. Each rare triumph is hailed as a potential turning point, yet these moments of brilliance are typically overshadowed by a succession of crushing defeats.
A New Low Point
Recently, the West Indies reached a new nadir, losing their maiden T20 International series against Nepal 0-2 in Sharjah. While it wasn’t a full-strength squad – indeed, defining ‘full-strength’ for the West Indies has become increasingly difficult – it was still a team representing the proud cricketing nation. To be comprehensively beaten by an Associate nation, particularly being dismissed for just 83 runs in one match, is nothing short of a catastrophe for those few who still passionately follow West Indies cricket. This dwindling support is a tragic reflection of the indifference shown by cricket administrators in the region, an attitude that unfortunately appears to have permeated the players themselves. Currently ranked eighth among 12 Test-playing nations, this decline is a stark contrast to their illustrious past and an outcome no one would have wished for.
Now, on their first Test tour of India since October 2018, Roston Chase’s team faces an immense challenge. They’ll be up against an Indian side buoyed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England. While India is navigating its own five-day transition, with key players like R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli retiring in recent months, the West Indies have been in a state of flux for decades. They’ve struggled to build a stable unit capable of consistently competing with top teams. India, despite a surprising 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year, remains a powerhouse at home. The West Indies, however, no longer command such respect, a void that diminishes the global cricketing landscape.
A stark reminder of their decline is the fact that the West Indies last won a Test match in India in 1994, at Mohali’s PCA Stadium – a venue now retired from international duty. Their last series victory on Indian soil dates back even further, to the 1983-84 tour. That series saw Clive Lloyd’s formidable team, still smarting from their World Cup final defeat to India at Lord’s, exact revenge with a dominant 3-0 win in a six-match series. It was a historic tour where Sunil Gavaskar surpassed Don Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries, scoring an unforgettable unbeaten 236 in the Chennai finale.
Over four decades have passed since that commanding 3-0 win, and more than 30 years since their last draw on Indian soil, stemming from the Mohali victory. Since then, India has comfortably won all four subsequent series. Their last encounter was a dominant 2-0 sweep, highlighted by Prithvi Shaw’s debut century in Rajkot and Rishabh Pant’s impressive knocks of 92 in both Rajkot and Hyderabad. Shaw’s international career has since stalled, and after being overlooked in the IPL and Mumbai squad, he’s now in Maharashtra, aiming for a comeback. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, following a remarkable recovery from a severe road accident in December 2022 and a leg fracture during the Manchester Test, is nearing full fitness. Even without him, India’s lineup remains formidable, with Dhruv Jurel eager to build on his strong debut against England last year, filling Pant’s shoes.
The current West Indies squad features few names recognizable even to dedicated Indian cricket fans. Compounding their challenges, two key bowlers, capable of making a significant impact, are sidelined due to injury. Shamar Joseph, who stunned with a five-wicket haul on debut in Adelaide last January, followed by an incredible seven for 68 in Brisbane – a match the West Indies won by eight runs, ending a 27-year drought on Australian soil – would have been a major threat with his pace. Without him and Alzarri Joseph, the experienced 40-Test veteran from Antigua, their pace attack appears weakened and lacking cohesion.
India will be eager to demonstrate to their supporters that their previous collapse against New Zealand was an anomaly, not a true reflection of their home dominance. One could argue New Zealand benefited from good fortune; India’s misjudgment of conditions in Bengaluru, despite a rain-affected start, led to Rohit opting to bat first. They were then dismissed for a paltry 46, triggering a sequence that resulted in their first-ever 0-3 whitewash in a home Test series. Tom Latham’s fortunate toss wins on turning pitches in Pune and Mumbai allowed New Zealand’s left-arm spinners, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, to expertly exploit the conditions. This defeat not only ended India’s bid for a third consecutive World Test Championship final but also highlighted the strategic error of preparing excessively turning tracks, which unexpectedly leveled the playing field for visiting spinners against India’s seasoned slow bowlers.
The crucial question for this series, India’s first at home since Ashwin’s retirement, is whether they will again risk playing into the West Indian spinners’ hands, including their vice-captain, left-armer Jomel Warrican. Despite Ashwin’s absence, India boasts impressive depth and quality in their spin department. Their 15-man squad includes four spinners, with three expected to feature in the opening Test at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, sidelined since the Bengaluru setback against New Zealand, has found form with 17 wickets in seven T20 Asia Cup matches. Washington Sundar arrives after a strong County Championship stint with Hampshire. Ravindra Jadeja, fresh and formidable after his impactful performances in England (especially with the bat), is set to lead the spin attack. Axar Patel, who famously took 20 wickets in consecutive Ahmedabad Tests against England in 2021, is also vying for a spot, though he had a less impactful outing at the same venue against Australia last year on a flat pitch that yielded a drab draw.
Modern Indian cricket, especially with World Test Championship points at stake in every match, has little appetite for draws. Captain Shubman Gill and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir are determined to capitalize on their recent successes in England, leaving no stone unturned.
Few had predicted India would share the honors in England, but a superb effort, led by their captain and featuring a standout performance from pacer Mohammed Siraj in the final Oval Test (where Jasprit Bumrah was rested), secured a creditable 2-2 series draw.
Shubman Gill concluded the England series with an impressive 754 runs before heading to the Asia Cup in Dubai. While some might worry about T20 habits influencing his Test form, his limited exposure – just 84 deliveries across seven innings, averaging 12 balls per knock – suggests insufficient time to develop habits detrimental to his red-ball game.
The West Indies, theoretically, have nothing to lose, which should encourage them to play aggressively but not carelessly, should opportunities arise. They are well aware that the immense pressure rests squarely on the home side. India is widely expected to secure a swift victory, given the significant disparity between the teams. Despite the absence of the two Josephs, there’s always a chance another promising pacer could emerge and make an immediate impact. While slower pitches might hinder this, unless they seize the opportunity, we’ll never know their true potential.
Caribbean bowlers face a daunting challenge, fully aware of the immense task ahead. India’s batting lineup is brimming with confidence after their successful England tour. Resurgent opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (scoring two centuries), Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar—all left-handers—reached triple figures, while K.L. Rahul and Pant each notched two tons. Shubman Gill led the charge with four centuries. The developing partnership between Rahul and Jaiswal at the top of the order is particularly promising, poised to provide a strong foundation for India’s aspirations.
While a series between the outmatched West Indies and a favored Indian side might not guarantee nail-biting encounters, Test cricket, by its very nature, thrives on its glorious uncertainties. Perhaps a surprise awaits.