West Indies pin hopes on Shannon Gabriel in Roach’s absence

Holder who was also named player of the series in the Windies’ latest contest against Bangladesh in the Caribbean, says this tour of India will not be about personal accomplishments.

There has been a some success for the team and himself in recent times.

Windies will be in India for nearly seven weeks and will play two Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is. While the West Indies drew the series against Sri Lanka, it beat Bangladesh 2-0. The team has lost six straight series against India since then.

However, the series does provide a good opportunity to Shaw and another uncapped player Mayank Agarwal, who had been knocking on the door for quite some time.

The fast bowler was expected join his team mates in India before the start of the Test match.

India have endured series losses in South Africa and England over the last nine months but have still managed to remain the top-ranked side in the longest format. “We have discussed how we are going to score runs against their quality attack”, said the 26-year-old, who has played 34 Tests. Shining for India A against South Africa A in unofficial Test matches, where he scalped 14 wickets in two matches, Siraj followed up with 11 wickets against Australia A to make a strong case for himself to the selectors who have made a decision to put trust in the pacer.

But here’s the real good news for Indian batsmen and Indian fans.

“We know the Indian conditions and we know how to go about our job and what shots to play here”.

The team is clear with its game plans having spent a week in Dubai before playing a two-day warm-up in Baroda.

“It’s been good. Our last two Test series were very good. We expect him to come into play in this series and be a match-winner”.

Whenever the question of fitness arises, or who is the fittest cricketer in India is asked, the name of captain Virat Kohli pops up without any second thought. “He has been around for a while and doing well”.

The other fast bowlers in the Windies squad include captain Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Keemo Paul and Sherman Lewis.

It’s the batsmen’s defensive technique that let India down badly in England and batting is, thankfully, the only real ailment to cure for Indian cricket to compete better overseas.

Despite being one of the fittest players in the Indian circuit, Virat Kohli still goes through the Yo-Yo Test to inspire his team.

West Indies arrive in India on the back of strong test form at home.