India v West Indies - Second Test Preview

India had a few scares in their first test against the West Indies but they battered their way out of it in the end and they look worth heavy support to do the same in Kolkata tomorrow with that test under their belts.

What must also be remembered is that India’s second test record is light years ahead of their first test. Thanks to ESPN, you can learn that over the last decade, and excluding tours to Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, India have a 4-9 win-loss record in first Tests of away series, with the four wins coming in Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and West Indies. In second Tests, on the other hand, they've won six times and lost only four, which means their win-loss ratio in second Tests is almost three-and-a-half times times their first-Test ratio.

With wins in Kandy (2001), Port of Spain (2002), Adelaide (2003), Trent Bridge (2007), Galle (2008) and Durban (2010), India’s second test record far outstrips their first, which suggests they should be harder to beat than in at Delhi. Twice in the last three years, India have bounced back to win the second Test after losing the first - in Sri Lanka in 2008, and in South Africa last year.

India ended a run of six tests without success and should be looking to whitewash their opponents, with the old hands that are Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, showing they still know how to get the job done when it matters.

The small worry could be that the roundsman has promised to deliver a pitch that will offer a bit more to the pace bowlers and that could turn in favour of West Indies, against Batsmen who are far more effective at playing spin than pace bowling. Memories of England will still be in the mind for value seekers but that was a far more effective pace unit than what the Windies can offer.

On the side, the big hitting MS Dohni (above left) – so underrated and also one of the few people to play well in England – can get his first runs of the series while outscoring Marlon Samuels, who made 15 and 0 in Kolakata, in the first innings – 5/6 is certainly decent about him doing so.

Advice

6.5 pts India (8/15 Stan James)

2 pts MS Dohni -0.5 v Marlon Samuels (5/6 Ladbrokes)