India will look for 3-0

Series lost, the hosts will focus on improvement

August 18, 2016 02:57 am | Updated 02:57 am IST - PORT OF SPAIN

I WILL BE BACK: With Shikhar Dhawan not in good form, Murali Vijay may make a comeback against the West Indies in the third Test.

I WILL BE BACK: With Shikhar Dhawan not in good form, Murali Vijay may make a comeback against the West Indies in the third Test.

On a high after sealing the series, India will look to make it 3-0 in order to ensure itself the No.1 Test ranking when it meets the West Indies in the final Test of the series, here on Thursday.

A draw at the Queen’s Park Oval will see Australia hold on to its top position while Pakistan, after its impressive 2-2 draw against England, will be the No.2.

With Virat Kohli making it clear that he likes Rohit Sharma at No.5 while promoting himself to No.3, it is unlikely that the core batting line-up will be changed too much. However, with Shikhar Dhawan not doing much since his 84 in the opening Test, it will be interesting to see if M. Vijay makes a comeback.

It looks unlikely that Cheteshwar Pujara will get a lifeline.

The five-pronged bowling attack could undergo a change. In a season which will see India play another 13 Tests, the workload on Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami needs to be managed. One of them could be afforded a breather, with Umesh Yadav, or even Shardul Thakur getting a look-in.

The West Indies, meanwhile, will hope for some improvement. Hopes, once again, will be pegged on Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels.

The teams (from):West Indies : Jason Holder (capt.), Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Leon Johnson, Shane Dowrich, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins, Alzarri Joseph.

India : Virat Kohli (capt.), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, R. Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd. Shami, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

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