India vs Windies 2018: Five Windies Players Who Can Create an Impact

Windies had returned to India after a gap of five years to play a Test series with fresh talent. Here are the five players from the Caribbean who can make an impact.

However, the no.1 Test team is ready to host the Windies side for the two-match Test series, scheduled on October 4, at the Rajkot Cricket Stadium. India managed to retain the position despite two consecutive series losses in South Africa and England.

Moreover, the last time Windies toured India for a Test series was in 2013 where they lost both the matches by an innings margin. There has been a lot of changes in the last five years with some incoming fresh talents.

Here are five players from the current the Windies squad that can surprise India in Tests.

Shimron Hetmyer

The southpaw is a bright prospect from Guyana. Hetmyer was in the attention since he led the Windies Under-19 team to its maiden championship in Bangladesh, 2016.

However, he made his Test debut against Pakistan in April 2017 and then earned his place in the limited-overs side of the Windies.

The 21-year old batsman has been impressive with his timing of the ball and where to place the bat. Although Hetmyer’s only played six Tests and had provided some good knocks of 66 (89) against New Zealand at Wellington and 86 (105) against Bangladesh at Jamaica.

Moreover, in the CPL 2018, Shimron Hetmyer became the youngest player to hit a hundred from only 47 balls. He will be excited to face India’s bowling attack on subcontinental pitches.

Shai Hope

Shai Hope is currently the most reliable batsman of the Windies team. He made his Test debut at the age of 21 and had taken some time to put some valuable contributions.

Hope became the first batsman to score two Test centuries at Headingley, Leeds and guided his team to a historic win over England.

Moreover, he bats at number four position and can stand on the pitch for a long time when required. Hope will be the backbone of the batting lineup. He also carries an impressive first-class record with eight centuries and 12 fifties in 86 innings. Hope will be keen to face the pace and spin attack of India and to deliver himself as a potential player.

Sunil Ambris

Sunil Ambris has played only two Tests so far, but his appearances have provided some vital aspects. The 25-year old was out hit wicket on the first ball he faced in Test cricket. Determined not to repeat the fate, Ambris opened his account with a six off his third ball in the second innings.

Meanwhile, also failed in the next Test and Ambris lost his spot from the team. He is making a comeback in the team after a brilliant performance for Windies A.

He scored an impressive 128 against India A in a first-class game in England in July 2018. There were also some valuable knocks that helped Ambris find himself in the Test squad against India. Moreover, in the tour match against Board President’s XI at Vadodara, Ambris smashed a brilliant 114 runs from 98 balls with 17 boundaries. It will be interesting to see how Ambris approaches the Indian bowling attack.

Roston Chase

The 26-year old Roston Chase made his debut in 2016 against India and proved his presence in the second Test. Chase picked five wickets in India’s only essay and effected a run-out. Windies needed to bat out a day to save the Test after being 48 for four. Chase scored a fantastic knock of unbeaten 137 to prevent the loss.

In addition to that, Roston Chase has not been in a great form but can trouble the Indian batting line up once again. He will hopefully try to concentrate on his batting career and put pressure on the opposition.

Shannon Gabriel

The 30-year old bowler, Shannon Gabriel has improved himself a lot since 2017. He bagged with 13 wickets against Sri Lanka in the home Tests, as he recorded the best bowling figures in West Indies. The bowler can bowl over 140 kmph regularly in his spell to trouble the batsman.

Gabriel had already played a Test match in India and was a part of the 2013 Test in Mumbai which was the last career match of the Indian legend, Sachin Tendulkar.

He has improved his pace and will be the trump card for the Windies. In the recent tour match, Gabriel managed to dismiss Prithvi Shaw and Karun Nair in his eight-over spell.