The first of a two-match Test series between West Indies and India will be played at Windsor Park, Roseau. This stadium is hosting a Test match after six long years and the pitch here will be looked at with keen interest. As a whole, the nature of the wicket might well suit the Indian bowlers more than the hosts.
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It is an important game from an Indian perspective because they will be trying out a (comparatively) new player in place of batter Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3.
Even though a majority of the Indian players pick themselves, their pace department is a little inexperienced this time round. Taking into consideration West Indies’ Test performances at home in the last few years, India wouldn’t want to commit a blunder in the form of taking them lightly.
Windsor Park Dominica Pitch Report For India vs West Indies 1st Test
Windsor Park’s pitch has been on the slower side in the past. Suited for pacers and likely to reward batters who dig deep especially on the first two days, this track is highly likely to slow down as the match progresses. With turn likely to come into play in the presence of uneven bounce, run-scoring would be no mean task in this match.
Overcast conditions are expected on Day 1 which should further encourage the pacers to do well. That said, batting first would still be the formula for both the teams as it won’t be easy to score runs in the last two days.
How Will Dukes Ball Assist Pacers At Windsor Park?
Apart from England, West Indies is the only other country where red-ball cricket is played with a Dukes ball. Since a Dukes ball stays harder for longer intervals, fast bowlers are in line to get additional help.
As a result, Indian batters will have to be careful against West Indian pacers namely Kemar Roach and Jason Holder‘s extra bounce. The ball will swing for longer intervals and the pacers can get good rewards if they keep bowling in the right areas.
Ajinkya Rahane Suggests Batters To Exercise Caution
There was an elongated period of time when the surfaces in the West Indies used to be spicy but table have turned now. As a result, India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has played six Tests in the Caribbean and has a great record as well.
Speaking in a press conference on Monday, he advised the batters to stay patient in order to score runs in the first Test. Hence, the batters will have to get their eye in on the wicket to get comfortable with the bounce.
