West Indies v India, 1st Test: Match preview

Find out all you need to know about the clash between the sides at Antigua

What is it?

West Indies are hosting India in a two-match Test series to conclude Virat Kohli’s side’s multi-format tour of the Caribbean.

India won the T20 series in a 3-0 whitewash, before following that up with a 2-0 victory in the ODI series after one match was lost to rain.

The Tests will represent the nations’ first matches as part of the World Test Championship, with Jason Holder leading the hosts.

What's the schedule?

FIRST TEST: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Thursday, August 22 - 26)

SECOND TEST: Sabina Park (Friday, August 30 - September 3)

What are India's chances?

West Indies’ recent form in home Test matches has been more than respectable. They have not lost a home series, in fact, since 2017, beating Bangladesh and England, while drawing with Sri Lanka.

India, meanwhile, have been riding the crest of a wave in Test cricket, having won in Australia for the first time ever in their most recent series away from home.

Naturally, with Kohli in charge, India will begin the series as heavy favourites, with a side full of options for all conditions – whether the pitches are quick and bouncy, as was regularly the case in the Caribbean in the more distant past, or whether they are lower and slower, as has been the case in more recent times.

What are the odds?

Having won the ODI series, India go in as favourites. West Indies, however, will be confident in their own conditions.

West Indies: 17/4, India: 4/11, Draw: 9/2 (Odds provided by Dafabet)

Who's in and who's out?

Jasprit Bumrah returns for India, having been rested for the ODI series. Cheteshwar Pujara, not utilised by India in white-ball cricket, returns to the squad.

India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav

What about West Indies?

West Indies have employed two former greats to help their batsmen prepare for the test of India’s bowling attack.

Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan have been working with a young squad to prepare them ahead of the first of the two matches, which takes place at Antigua.

A bowling attack including the pace of Shannon Gabriel and the skills of Kemar Roach will be tasked with finding a way through Kohli.

Meanwhile, Rahkeem Cornwall is included in West Indies’ squad – the off-spinning allrounder could make his Test debut for Holder’s side.

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach

What will the weather be like?

It is forecast to be warm and sunny in Antigua for the majority of the Test, with some heavy overnight rain also predicted.

How can I follow it?

The first Test will be broadcast live via Sky Sports Mix in the UK from 2.25pm. The match will be shown in India on Sony Ten 1 (English) and Sony Ten 3 (Hindi).

Live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app.

This preview is brought to you in association with Dafabet India. For more on Dafabet and to place a bet, click here