IND vs WI Dream11 Team Prediction: The visitors would be hoping to continue their unbeaten streak on the tour at Antigua.
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The first Test of the ongoing India’s tour of West Indies will commence from tomorrow at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua. The contest will also mark the start of the intriguing ICC World Test Championship for both the teams.
India, who have won both the T20I and ODI series on this tour, would be looking to continue their form in red-ball cricket now. If India win the first Test, things will become all the more difficult for the hosts in the two-Test series.
That being said, the same would be no cakewalk as West Indies have done well in Tests played in their own conditions in the recent times. In the last Test series at home, West Indies had defeated England 2-1.
IND vs WI Dream11 Team Prediction
Team News
Selecting West Indies’ Playing XI for this match seems to be a straight-forward task. However, the same can’t be said for the visitors. The main positions which require discussions in the Indian camp involve that of No. 6 and No. 7. While captain Virat Kohli will have to decide in between playing four or five bowlers, he will also have to lay emphasis on the wicket-keeper’s position.
Probable Playing XI
West Indies
1) Kraigg Brathwaite 2) John Campbell 3) Shai Hope 4) Darren Bravo 5) Roston Chase 6) Shimron Hetmyer 7) Shane Dowrich (wk) 8) Jason Holder 9) Keemo Paul 10) Kemar Roach 11) Shannon Gabriel
India
1) Lokesh Rahul 2) Mayank Agarwal 3) Cheteshwar Pujara 4) Virat Kohli (c) 5) Ajinkya Rahane 6) Ravichandran Ashwin 7) Rishabh Pant (wk) 8) Ravindra Jadeja 9) Ishant Sharma 10) Mohammed Shami 11) Jasprit Bumrah
Players to watch out for
West Indies – Kraigg Brathaite, Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel
India – Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah
Pitch Report and Toss Prediction
Since the start of 2015, batting teams have scored runs at an average of 250.88 at North Sound. In nine innings (more than 10 overs bowled), the highest score has been scored by India (566/8 dec. in 2016). On the contrary, Bangladesh had scored the lowest score when they were bundled out for 43 last year.
Expect the bowlers to once again call the shots here. A majority (four out of seven) of Test matches have seen results at this venue and the eighth one should also favour the majority.
Out of the four matches in which a result was generated, the team chasing a target ended up on the winning side thrice. The same is enough hint for deciding the outcome at the toss.
Dream11 Picks for IND vs WI Dream11
Wicket-keepers for IND vs WI Dream11
My only wicket-keeper batsman for this match is India’s Rishabh Pant. I have made this selection majorly because of the difference of Test numbers of both the available options. In nine Tests, Pant’s 696 runs have come at an average of 49.71 and a strike rate of 73.80 including two centuries and half-centuries each.
Batsmen for IND vs WI Dream11
West Indies opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite is my first specialist batsman for this match. In addition to his praiseworthy expertise in this format, Brathwaite has solid numbers at this venue. In four Tests, the 26-year old batsman has scored 295 runs at an average of 49.16 including a century and half-century each.
Picking Kohli and India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara doesn’t require much deliberation. Having scored two centuries in the ODI series, Kohli has already put on display his stellar form in the series. On the other hand, Pujara is coming on the back of his career-best performance in Australia earlier this year.
All-rounders for IND vs WI Dream11
Having made his Test debut against India at the same venue in 2016, West Indies all-rounder Roston Chase played 29 Tests in the last three years. A handy option for the hosts across divisions, immediately get Chase in your squad for this match.
I have also included West Indies fast bowler Keemo Paul for this match. Having played only three Tests so far, Paul is yet to make a mark in this format. The main reason why I have picked him is because of his price of eight credits. Capable of both batting and bowling, Paul should earn some crucial points for you.
A line-up comprising of four all-rounders also include the Indian pair of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. With the former expected to bat at No. 6, not including him would be a significant mistake. In 11 Tests against West Indies, Ashwin has scored 552 runs at an average of 50.18 including four centuries.
If this is not enough, Ashwin has also picked 60 wickets against West Indies at an average of 21.85, an economy rate of 21.85 and a strike rate of 43.6. In the limited opportunities which Jadeja has got in tests, he has done justice with both the bat and the ball.
Bowlers for IND vs WI Dream11
31-year old West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has led their bowling attack from the front of late. In 23 Tests at home, Gabriel has picked 79 wickets at an average of 22.59, an economy rate of 2.95 and a strike rate of 45.9.
ALSO READ: When and where to watch West Indies vs Indies 1st Test?
Much like Kohli and Pujara, don’t think much before including Indian fast bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma. The pair has done exceedingly well for India in the past assignments in this format. While I have picked Sharma, you can go with Mohammed Shami if you want as both the pacers will cost you the same.
I wanted to include West Indies fast bowler in my team as well but couldn’t do the same due to a budget constraint. Available at nine credits, you can include Roach in your squad in place of Jadeja. The move will provide a better balance among the number of players from both the teams.
Dream 11 disclaimer
All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, their performances in recent time, how the two teams have fared in the cricketing fraternity over the course of the last year, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players who are expected to dole out the maximum points.
