West Indies vs India 2019: 2nd Test - India's Predicted Playing XI

India has been the best Test side in the world for quite a few years now. They were once again at their usual best securing a convincing win by 318 runs in the first Test against West Indies at Antigua. Virat Kohli & Co will hope to keep their winning streak going and make a thumping start to the ICC World Test Championship when they face the host in the second and final match in the Test series at Kingston in Jamaica starting from August 30 (Friday).

The Asian Giants produced a thorough effort in the first match with each player contributing to the team’s success. While Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari stood out in the batting front, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah lifted the bowling unit. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli also had a fair outing alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami. But the form of Cheteshwar Pujara will keep the management thinking. But the Saurashtra-born cricketer knows how to bounce back from adverse conditions and the Indian fans will hope their main man get back the form in Jamaica.

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Meanwhile, India is unlikely to make too many changes to their winning combination as they will be desperate to secure another win despite taking an unassailable lead. The management might think to bring back experienced Wriddhiman Saha in place of Rishabh Pant in the playing XI and give him some game time.

Here is the predicted playing XI of India for the second Test against West Indies at Kingston in Jamaica:

KL RAHUL

KL Rahul is currently one of the talented batsmen around across the formats. However, he has been in and out of the side owing to inconsistency. With Prithvi Shaw out of action due to doping violation, this will be a welcome opportunity for Rahul to make strong claims for his place in the playing XI.

The Karnataka batsman got starts in both the innings scoring 44 and 38 runs but failed to convert the hardwork into big scores. Rahul will have to play huge knocks alongside shouldering responsibility and help India get a good start in the second Test at Jamaica starting from August 30.

MAYANK AGARWAL

Mayank Agarwal made his debut in Australia last year on the back of the consistent form in the domestic circuit for over two years. Coming as a replacement to injured Prithvi Shaw, Agarwal showed his capabilities immediately opening the batting in those alien conditions. Since then, he has been a regular in India’s Test squad.

The Karnataka batsman had a poor game in the first Test getting out cheaply in both the occasions. Mayank will be desperate to get going in the second and the final Test to retain his place in the playing XI with many talented openers waiting in the wings to take up the spot.

CHETESHWAR PUJARA

Cheteshwar Pujara has been the best batsman for India in the longer format of the game. His ability to play big knocks and occupy the wicket from one end is a rare quality in the fast-paced, modern-day cricket.

The Saurashtra batsman, who has been playing in County’s to keep himself prepared for the international matches had a rare failure in the first Test against West Indies. But the management will back Pujara to come out stronger and lead India’s batting to help them complete another whitewash after the T20Is and ODIs.

VIRAT KOHLI

Virat Kohli has been India’s star attraction across the formats for quite a few years. Many say Kohli’s outing with the bat in a game will decide the fate of his side in that particular match. He has led the team from the front ever since taking over reins from MS Dhoni.

The top-ranked Test batsman got out cheaply in the first innings but bounced back with a half-century in the second essay. However, Kohli will curse himself for getting out on a batting track after getting his eyes in. He will look to convert the fifty into a century and strengthen his position in the Test rankings which is being challenged by Steve Smith.

AJINKYA RAHANE

The India vice-captain has been a real warrior in the Test format and has stood out on every occasion when his team needed the most. While there were chit chats about Ajinkya Rahane’s spot in the team, the veteran batsman has stopped all the critics with his impeccable display of batting in the first Test at Antigua.

Rahane played a gritty knock of 81 runs in the first innings after a collapse in the top-order and then backed it up with a wonderful century in the second essay. This will give the Mumbai-born cricketer a lot of confidence ahead of the second Test in Jamaica.

HANUMA VIHARI

The young batsman from Andhra Pradesh is only gaining ground in the Test side with each passing game. Since making his debut in England last year, Hanuma Vihari had stood out when India needed the most. His ability to bat long has only strengthened India’s middle-order alongside a world-class top-order.

Vihari played a fighting knock of 32 runs in the first innings and then partnered Ajinkya Rahane in the second innings to help India post a massive target. His recent form with the bat will once again keep Rohit Sharma out of the Test side who made a return to five-day formats after a long time.

WRIDDHIMAN SAHA

Wriddhiman Saha has been out of the Test side owing to injuries for almost 18 months. He returned to the squad for the series against West Indies but had to sit out in the previous game. Rishabh Pant made a mark of himself with centuries in England and Australia to get a nod ahead.

However, the wicket-keeper from Bengal is likely to get an opportunity in the second game against West Indies to reclaim his spot back. Saha has been in good touch in the recent matches for India A and will hope to get going. Besides, he is one of the best wicket-keepers in the country right now, which will also boost Virat Kohli & Co.

RAVINDRA JADEJA

Many got surprised when Ravindra Jadeja peeped Ravichandran Ashwin to make it to the playing XI for the first Test against West Indies. But the veteran all-rounder from Saurashtra didn’t disappoint the management. He contributed with both bat and ball to show why he is highly-rated as an all-rounder across the format.

Jadeja’s scored a valuable half-century in the first innings to help India post a challenging total on the scoreboard and then returned to claim two wickets. His effort at Antigua will once again keep Ashwin out of action as Jadeja will hope to seal his Test spot when the second match starts on August 30.

ISHANT SHARMA

The tall and lanky fast bowler from Delhi is only getting better with each passing day. Ishant Sharma’s experience of over a decade is the heart of India’s pace bowling attack. The veteran seamer had a terrific outing in Antigua helping India to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Ishant returned with eight wickets in the match – the highest by a bowler, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. He will only hope to keep up this form going in the upcoming Test against West Indies to help India get a good start in the ICC World Test Championship.

MOHAMMED SHAMI

The fast bowler from Bengal has been one of India’s finest in the last two years. His partnership with Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah has been lethal and has helped the Asian Giants to dominate the Test arena across the globe.

Mohammed Shami had an average game in the last outing at Antigua. The pacer will be keen to contribute more to the team’s success to retain his place in the playing XI with Umesh Yadav waiting in the wings to take up the spot.

JASPRIT BUMRAH

Jasprit Bumrah was once again at his best in the last Test paving the way for India’s win to take an unassailable lead in the two-match series. He took a break after the shocking World Cup exit and returned to the Test side with a match-winning effort.

The ace bowler claimed six wickets in the first Test including a fifer in the second innings. Bumrah will hope to keep up his excellent work in the second match and help India finish the series with their unbeaten streak intact.