West Indies vs India 2023, 1st Test – Dafanews Match Preview

West Indies and India will kick off their World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle against each other at the Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica from Wednesday onwards. Both teams will be eager to make a good start and come up with a collective effort.

We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.

Current form for India: L D L W W

India was not at their absolute best in the WTC final against Australia as they suffered a 209-run loss. The experienced players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have come under the pump and they will need to lead from the front against the West Indies.

Current form for West Indies: L L L L W

West Indies recently could not qualify for the ODI World Cup 2023 for the first time in 48 years and the health of their Test cricket doesn’t look promising. After winning series against England and Bangladesh in 2022, West Indies suffered huge losses against Australia and South Africa. Ergo, they will need a better performance against the potent Indian team.

Head to Head: Matches: 98, Won by WI: 30, Won by India: 22, Draw: 46.

Players to look out for: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Sira will hold the key for the visitors.

Kraigg Brathwaite, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, and Jermaine Blackwood are going to hold the key for the home team.

India’s Test squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.

West Indies squad for 1st Test vs India: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.