Positive Aspects for the West Indies Despite their Test Series Defeat Against India

Due to a washed-out Day 5, the second Test between the West Indies and India in Trinidad ended without a result. Team India, who had previously won the opening Test in Dominica, secured a 1-0 Test series victory.

We can confidently say that there was a significant difference in performance between the two sides. India displayed their dominance throughout, while the hosts were constantly playing catch-up.

Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India achieved an astounding victory in the first Test, winning by an innings and 141 runs. In the following Test, they were on track to achieve a clean sweep before rain intervened and helped the Caribbean side avoid defeat.

Despite the West Indies' loss in the Test series, there were a few positives for them during the series. Here are three main positives that the West Indies can take from their 1-0 Test series loss against India:

#1 Alick Athanaze

In the first Test against India, West Indies introduced a young and promising talent, Alick Athanaze, to the Test arena. Athanaze, a talented left-handed batsman, had the honor of making his debut on his home ground in Dominica, where he impressed everyone with his strong mental composure.

In the opening Test, Athanaze emerged as a shining hope for the hosts, showcasing a confident and skilled batting approach. Despite the challenging conditions posed by bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who troubled the Caribbean batters, Athanaze showed maturity and played according to the merit of each ball.

During his debut innings, Athanaze displayed resilience, top-scoring for his team with a hard-fought 47 runs. In the second inning, he continued to look promising, contributing 28 runs off 44 balls.

Adding to his prowess, Athanaze's right-arm off-spin proved valuable. While Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal dominated the Caribbean bowlers with a massive opening partnership of 229 runs, Athanaze broke the deadlock by dismissing the Indian captain.

Though he may still be considered a part-time bowler, Athanaze's batting skills make him a player to keep an eye on in the near future for West Indies cricket.

#2 The batting group displayed remarkable resistance during the second Test

In the Dominica Test, the West Indies' batters struggled to figure out the Indian bowling attack, especially Ravichandran Ashwin. They were dismissed for 150 and 130 in the two innings, which marked the first time they failed to score more than 300 runs in both innings of a Test match against India.

However, in the second encounter in Trinidad, the Indian bowlers faced a tougher challenge. Despite the pitch not being very favorable for bowlers, the West Indies put up a strong fight that shouldn't be overlooked.

After India scored 438 runs in the first innings, the West Indies made a commendable effort to keep the game alive. Led by skipper Kraigg Brathwaite's resilient innings of 75 runs from 235 balls, they batted for 115.4 overs, surpassing the total number of overs they batted in both innings combined in Dominica.

The Caribbean batters, especially the top order, displayed impressive resistance, making the Indian bowlers reassess their strategies. At one stage, the West Indies were 178/3, and with valuable contributions from the middle and lower order, they had a chance to get close to India's first-innings score.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Mohammed Siraj put on an impressive bowling performance on Day 4, causing havoc for the West Indies' lower order by taking five wickets. As a result, the West Indies could only manage to score 255 runs in their first innings.

Despite still trailing behind India by a significant margin in the game, the West Indies' batters showed great determination and fight, which is undoubtedly a positive aspect they can build upon in their future matches.

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#3 The West Indies bowlers made a significant impact on the Indian top-order during the first innings in Trinidad

The Indian batsmen had a relatively easy time facing the Caribbean bowlers in both Tests. However, there was a short period during the second session of Day 1 in Trinidad when the West Indies bowlers managed to put the Indian batting unit on the defensive.

As soon as the West Indies broke the opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, they took control of the game. The home team kept taking wickets at regular intervals, giving their supporters something to celebrate.

Jaiswal's dismissal for 57 ended the opening partnership of 139 runs, creating an opportunity for the West Indies to make a comeback. Shubman Gill, who batted at No. 3, was caught behind, adding to India's troubles. Meanwhile, Rohit was bowled by a well-flighted delivery from Jomel Warrican, which turned slightly after angling in.

In the first hour after Lunch, India scored only 33 runs in 11 overs. The West Indies bowlers were even more economical in the hour before Tea, with Virat Kohli taking 21 deliveries to open his account.

The West Indies bowlers kept up their pressure on the Indian innings and managed to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane, who could only score eight runs. India, which was at 139/0, saw a dip in their score, reaching 182/4.

However, the Caribbean bowlers couldn't maintain their threatening form throughout the Test. Virat Kohli's exceptional century turned the game around completely.

Final Words - 

Despite their Test series loss to India, the West Indies can take away several positives. They displayed remarkable individual performances, resilience as a team, and glimpses of potential for future success. Although defeated, they showcased their capabilities and determination on the cricketing stage. The Fast Live Line app and website cater to cricket fans with their exceptional live match services. With a user-friendly interface and real-time updates, this platform is a cricket enthusiast's ultimate Cricket Live Line companion. Stay connected to the game you love, thanks to the Live Line Guru feature, which ensures you never miss any thrilling moments on the cricket field.