India v West Indies cricket tips & predictions | First Test preview

The West Indies head to India for a two-Test series that kicks off in Ahmedabad this Thursday, and top cricket betting sites have them pegged as heavy underdogs.

The tourists are paying massive odds of +1800 at BetOnline to conquer Narendra Modi Stadium, which is no surprise when you take a glance at recent history between these sides.

India have won nine consecutive Test series against the West Indies, including back-to-back tours of the Caribbean in 2019 and 2023.

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The West Indies have not won a single match in that span, with their last victory against the Asian powerhouse coming at Kingston in 2002 to seal a 2-1 series win over five Tests.

That team featured the likes of Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan — and with all due respect, there is nothing close to that caliber of batting talent in this lineup.

Meanwhile, India’s Test guns come in off a two-month spell following their highly entertaining tour of the UK, where they clinched a narrow victory in the fifth Test to secure a 2-2 draw with England.

Even with a couple of big names missing, Shubman Gill leads a star-studded squad that heads into the first Test at -1000 odds for the win with top bookie BetOnline.

India team news

India will be without wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as he continues to recover from the injury sustained on the England tour. Dhruv Jurel is expected to take the gloves in his stead, while Narayan Jagadeesan comes into the squad as cover.

Devdutt Padikkal replaces Karun Nair on the batting roster, while left-armer Axar Patel completes a four-pronged spin complement that also includes Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav.

India Test squad:

• Shubman Gill (c)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• KL Rahul
• Sai Sudharsan
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Dhruv Jurel (wk)
• Ravindra Jadeja (vc)
• Washington Sundar
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Axar Patel
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Siraj
• Prasidh Krishna
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Narayan Jagadeesan (wk)

West Indies team news

The visitors have copped a massive double blow with star quicks Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph both ruled out through injury. Johann Layne and Jediah Blaydes come in as replacements, the latter having featured in the West Indies’ shock T20 series defeat to Nepal in the UAE this week.

Stalwart opener Kraigg Brathwaite has not made the cut, opening the door for Tagenarine Chanderpaul or Tevin Imlach to reclaim a top-order spot. Alick Athanaze is also back in the fold, while 34-year-old Khary Pierre could be in line for a Test debut.

West Indies Test squad:

• Roston Chase (c)
• Jomel Warrican (vc)
• Kevlon Anderson
• Alick Athanaze
• John Campbell
• Tagenarine Chanderpaul
• Justin Greaves
• Shai Hope (wk)
• Tevin Imlach (wk)
• Brandon King
• Johann Layne
• Anderson Phillip
• Khary Pierre
• Jayden Seales

First Test: India v West Indies predictions

India top wicket-taker – Jasprit Bumrah

An unusually green deck is expected in Ahmedabad, which should bring the seamers right into the contest. If that is the case, Jasprit Bumrah is the obvious choice to top India’s bowling stats for the first innings. Mohammed Siraj is a tempting choice at +360 with the best online bookmakers, but Bumrah is the favorite for a reason.

To make 50 or more runs – KL Rahul

If there is a bit of juice in the wicket, the classical technique of KL Rahul might prove valuable at the top of the Indian batting order. He comes in hot off an unbeaten 176 against Australia A in late September, so the +145 for Rahul to pass 50 in his first dig looks a sound play.

Highest opening partnership – India

If we’re backing Rahul to make some runs, it make sense to take India for the highest opening partnership as well. The West Indies’ makeshift pace attack is very short on Test experience, so we can expect some loose stuff early that will allow the Indian openers to get their eye in.