IND vs WI - 2nd Test Match Preview: Historic 100th Test Clash at Queen's Park Oval | Virat Kohli Century coming | INDVSWI | Rohit Sharma

The second and final Test match of the India vs West Indies (IND vs WI) series is set to begin this Thursday at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. This match holds special significance as it marks the historic 100th Test match between the West Indies and India. As part of the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship, India is currently leading the series 1-0 after their victory in the first Test.

Match Details: 

 Match No: 2nd Test

Series Current Status: India leads the series by 1-0

Match Date: 20 July (Thursday), 21 July (Friday), 22 July (Saturday), 23 July (Sunday), and 24 July (Monday) 2023

Official Starting Time (for every day): 7:30 IST (10:00 local)

Venue: Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Live Streaming (in India): DD Sports, Jio Cinema, FanCode

Weather Forecast:

According to accuweather.com, there are significant chances of rain throughout each day of the Test match, both in the morning and afternoon. Only the last day seems to have a better weather forecast. The highest temperature during the match time could be around 34°C. The possibility of rain might add an unpredictable dimension to the match.

 Pitch Report:

Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, is hosting its first Test since June 2018. Historically, the ground has witnessed two draws, two successful fourth innings defenses, and one easy fourth innings chase in the last five Test matches. West Indies has maintained a good record at this venue, having not lost in the last four Tests, with two wins and two draws.

 Toss Prediction:

Considering the weather conditions and the potential impact of rain, winning the toss and opting to bat first could be a crucial decision.

Shubman Form in test : Shubman Gill's Test form is a concern as he has struggled to convert starts into big scores in his last three innings: 6 (vs WI), 13, and 18 (vs AUS). The team will be looking for him to regain form and play substantial innings to contribute significantly to India's success in upcoming Test matches

Predicted Playing XIs:

India:

 Rohit Sharma (C),

Yashasvi Jaiswal,

Shubman Gill,

Virat Kohli,

Ajinkya Rahane,

Ishan Kishan (wk),

Ravindra Jadeja,

Ravichandran Ashwin,

Jaydev Unadkat,

Mohammed Siraj,

Shardul Thakur.

West Indies:

 Kraigg Brathwaite (C),

Tagenarine Chanderpaul,

Alick Athanaze,

Jermaine Blackwood,

Kirk McKenzie,

Joshua Da Silva (wk),

Kevin Sinclair,

Jason Holder,

Alzarri Joseph,

Kemar Roach,

Jomel Warrican.

Special Milestone:

India's captain, Virat Kohli, will be playing his 500th international match in this historic encounter, adding to the significance of the match.

Expert Predictions:

 Virat Kohli: The Indian captain is expected to lead from the front and is predicted to score a century(100), showcasing his class and determination at the crease.

Jaydev Unadkat: The left-arm pacer is anticipated to leave a mark in the match by picking up five wickets across the two innings, demonstrating his skill and ability to trouble the West Indian batsmen.

Alzarri Joseph: The West Indian fast bowler is likely to be the pick of the bowlers for his team, as he seeks to exploit the conditions and challenge the Indian batting lineup.

Alick Athanaze: The West Indian batsman is predicted to shine with the bat, scoring a half-century and contributing significantly to his team's total.

 Conclusion:

As the two teams gear up for the 100th Test match between India and West Indies, cricket fans can anticipate an exciting and closely contested battle at Queen's Park Oval. With rain possibly playing a role, both teams will need to adapt swiftly and seize opportunities to claim victory. Join us as we bring you live coverage and analysis of the IND vs WI 2nd Test match, where history and cricketing prowess will intertwine in the quest for supremacy. Let the cricketing action unfold!

Photos Credit : BCCI