India vs Windies 2018: India Will Win the Series by 2-0 - Carl Hooper
Updated - 04 Oct 2018, 06:03 PM
Former West Indies skipper Carl Hooper has predicted the result of the ongoing two-match Test series between India and Windies. Hooper believes that the hosts will win the series easily by 2-0. In fact, India has been dominant while playing in their own home conditions. Thus, they are expected to beat the depleted Windies side easily.
India has ticked the right boxes while playing on their own turf. They are the number one side in the ICC Test rankings and they have played their best in their own conditions. Meanwhile, the Windies are at the eighth position in the ICC Test rankings. Thus, they would have to play out of their skin to challenge India.
Windies will have their work cut out to challenge India.
Meanwhile, Carl Hooper believes that the pivotal players of the Windies (like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard) are over-aged to play Test cricket.
“Chris Gayle is too old now. Kieron Pollard is also in his 30s, so is Sunil Narine. It’s pretty late for them to play Tests. Had they considered this seven years ago, the story would have been different. I know Gayle and Pollard are T20 specialists, but what is the harm in coming in at No. 7 and playing the way you are comfortable in,” said Carl Hooper while talking to TOI.
Thus, Carl Hooper believes it is going to be a tough series for the Windies team. Virat Kohli-led team is at the top of their prowess and it is going to take a herculean effort from the visitors to cause an upset.
“It is going to be very tough for this West Indies team. Let’s be honest, it is going to be 2-0 in favor of India. For now, the focus shouldn’t be on the scoreline. It is important for the young West Indies team to put up a good fight. What we don’t want to see is West Indies being thrashed within four days of a Test match,” Hooper said.
In fact, Hooper thinks that southpaw batsman Shimron Hetmyer is going to hold the key. The left-hander has shown the promise to do well. Furthermore, Windies are without the services of Jason Holder and Kemar Roach which has added salt to the injury.
Shimron Hetmyer is going to be the key batsman.
“Shimron Hetmyer will be the key batsman for the West Indies in the series. The last time I saw him score a hundred was in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He is talented and had also toured New Zealand where he put up a decent show for the team. He is a good batsman against spin. In India, where the spinners get a lot of advantage from the tracks, Hetmyer can be the key batsman for the West Indies team,” Carl Hooper concluded.
There is no doubt that Windies will have their work cut while playing the Indian juggernauts. The Indian team is a potent side and can be too good the beleaguered Windies side.
