After a disappointing performance in the first Test, West Indies have made a change to their squad for the upcoming second and final Test against India. In a bid to bounce back, the hosts have included uncapped spinner Kevin Sinclair in their 13-player squad, replacing allrounder Raymon Reifer.
In the first Test at Windsor Park, Dominica, West Indies were outplayed by Team India, suffering an innings defeat. The home team could only manage 150 runs in their first innings, while India declared their innings at 421 for 5, thanks to stellar performances from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (171) and Rohit Sharma (103), as well as impressive bowling by spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Facing a massive deficit, West Indies crumbled in their second innings, getting bowled out for just 130 runs, with Ashwin once again wreaking havoc with seven wickets. The dominant win by an innings and 141 runs highlighted the gulf between the two sides.
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As West Indies prepare for the second Test in Trinidad, they have decided to bring in off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, while Raymon Reifer has been omitted from the squad. Reifer struggled with both bat and ball in the first Test, contributing minimal scores and failing to pick up any wickets.
While Sinclair has yet to make his Test debut, he has previous experience in international cricket, having played seven ODIs and six T20Is for West Indies. The 23-year-old recently featured in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe. West Indies will be hoping that Sinclair can make an impact if given the opportunity, much like debutant Alick Athanaze did in the first Test.
West Indies squad for the second Test against India:
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican
Traveling Reserves for the second Test against India: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan