The fate of the upcoming two-Test series is considered a foregone conclusion by many and even Sunil Gavaskar has said that with the kind of team the West Indies are today, you can go a day before a Test match and still beat them. However, West Indies have not been conceding in five-day games in recent times, especially at home. India will undoubtedly start the game as favorites, but the hosts have several players in the lineup capable of springing a surprise or two.

West Indies’ falling stock in white-ball cricket and India’s recent dominance in face-to-face matches – the Caribbeans have lost the last four Tests, with the last victory coming in May 2002 in Kingston, Jamaica – have made for an unusually quiet tour. The tour, which includes three ODIs and five T20Is (two of them in Florida), has been virtually unadvertised, and it could be overlooked that cricket’s most closely watched team has already embarked on its next trip.

West Indies’ most significant wins since the WTC were two over England and one over Pakistan, and they have been hard to beat in familiar conditions. In the last four years they have won nine Tests and lost 15, but since India last visited their shores they have won four and lost three. It will largely be up to their bowlers, particularly the pacers, to see if they can make any serious progress. In the previous series too, it all depended on Ravichandran Ashwin.the first sixesAnything below 40 won’t make you pay attention. But a double hundred means he can score a lot of points when he makes the team. Team coach Brian Lara believes he has the style of play and attitude to succeed at the highest level.

All-round players are the backbone

Specialists are often flattered to deceive and it is often the versatile players who have to fill the void.

Jason Holder

A former captain in all formats, he was one of the team’s bright spots throughout 62 Tests. Battling reverse swing.

Alzarri Joseph

The fastest of the lot, the 26-year-old has progressed rapidly in recent times and has shown the temperament to shine in the spotlight.

Shannon Gabriel

He plays heavy ball and has eight wickets against Sri Lanka to his credit as well as five forays against the likes of Pakistan and England, proving that he is a threat to top teams.

Jomel Warrican

The left-arm spinner made four wickets each in Galle, Chattogram and Colombo, so he can be relied upon if the conditions suit him.