India and West Indies have concluded their 2-test series with visitors clinching the set by 1-0. The last test match ended due to a washout, taking away a chance for hosts to prove their worth and visitors to register a clean sheet. Nevertheless, India has won the series and will next move on to the 3-ODI series starting July 27, 2023.
The second test at Queen’s Park Oval was more or less in India’s control. This is evident from the confidence that Rohit Sharma displayed by declaring the innings at 181 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. The Indian skipper could have gone all the way, finishing the day and declaring on the next day. Instead, he let Ishan Kishan register the fastest 50 runs by an Indian wicket keeper before calling the innings off.
This was a much-needed boost for the keeper since he had to go back to the pavilion in the first innings after putting up just 25 runs off 37 balls. Assuming his confidence is back, the ODI series would be a piece of cake for the 25-year-old left-handed batter.
The second innings brought another milestone for the team. Ravichandran Ashwin is now the second-highest wicket-taker among Indians. He picked up the Indies skipper and Kirk McKenzie to surpass Harbhajan Singh, who has 711 international dismissals. Ashwin has a few more red-ball cricket left ahead of him, with no doubt that he will go much above the mark of 712. Anil Kumble, a former Indian spinner who retired in early 2012, has the maximum number of wickets – 956.
For India, this marks the 9th straight test victory against West Indies.
India is currently second on the ICC WTC Leaderboard with 66.67% points. This comes from one win and one draw. Pakistan is at the top of the charts with 100% points. England is in the 4th position, and the Indies are down to the 5th position. Australia, the current champion of ICC WTC, is at the 3rd rank. This will change soon as Ashes 2023 still has one more match to go. Also, Pakistan will next face Australia for a 3-test series.
Day 5 of the second test between India and West Indies had the best cricket betting sites showing more interest in landing a draw. India needed 8 wickets to win, but that was not entirely possible. Rain was playing a spoilsport with a closed window for a victory.
Siraj takes home the title of Player of the Match for picking 5 wickets while giving away 60 runs in the first innings and being economical in the second innings. Virat Kohli brought his 29th century in the test career that stands tall throughout 187 innings. Rohit Sharma now has 16 half-centuries in 88 innings.
