India vs West Indies 1st Test Preview & Prediction

If IND Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 350

Lokesh Rahul hit a fifty in each of the two warm-up games and he could be opening the batting alongside Dhawan or Rohit. Their skipper Virat Kohli, however, is going to be the man with the bat for India. He will be coming with a fifty in the last practice match and is likely to score the most runs for his side in the first test. Rahane's knock in the middle order will be vital and India could reach 350 or more if Rahul, Kohli and Rahane make some big runs.

Bowling is an area West Indies will be bothered the most about and this could lead to their undoing in the first match. Nevertheless, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite and Shannon Gabriel will be spearheading the pace department. Of the three, it is Holder who should be backed to pick up early wickets owing to his good bowling performances in recent times. Devendra Bishoo is the only spinner in this side who can cast a spell of danger on the Indian batsmen. If India lose their key batsmen at the start, the Windies might succeed in restricting them below 350.

Our Prediction

India clearly have an upper hand when it comes to past records against the West Indies. They have eight wins in the last 15 tests played between them with the rest all ending in a draw. It has been a long time since the Windies last won a test match against India. Their last victory came back in 2002 at Kingston where they recorded a win by 155 runs. Moreover, while the hosts have now faced six consecutive test defeats, the visitors have won five in a row.

West Indies could be in with a great chance if their bowlers can manage to produce an Indian batting collapse. But the chances of this happening seem to be bleak, and so we're backing India to win the first test and go 1-up in the series.