India's Previous Test Series in West Indies

Indian cricket team is currently visiting West Indies. Their pervious 8 visits to Caribbean Island were in 1952–53, 1961--62, 1975--75, 1982-83, 1988-89, 1996-97 and 2001-2002. Out of these India had succeeded only once in 1970-71 where as the home teams had won all the rest. There is no instance of a drawn series so far. On the over all performance West Indies dominate with 30 wins against 10 by the Indians in 78 test matches played between the two teams to date.

On the current measure of strength the West Indies are lowly rated on the International ranking and desperately fighting back to regain their lost reputation. On the other hand the Indian team is comparatively more strong and experienced and stand with a good chance in the current series. Interestingly they are still in a quest to win a test series outside sub continent for the last 20 years. However in view of result of one day series the test series will be more interesting. Presented below is a brief review of previous test series played by India in West Indies in 2001 – 2002.

1st Test Match -- 11-15 April 2002 at Bourda George Town, Guyana

Skipper Carl Hooper won the toss, scored a magnificent double century (233) and added 293 runs for the fifth wicket with Shivnarine Chander paul (140) to enable West Indies piled up a huge total of 501 in 163.1 overs. Anil Kumble proved to be exceedingly expensive costing 145 runs for two wickets. Srinath and Zaheer Khan were also hit over 90 runs each. India in reply accumulated 395 for 7 in 140.3 overs. RS Dravid (144 Not Out) SR Tendulkar (79) and VVS Laxman (69) were the principal scorers. Rain washed out the fifth day’s play and the match ended in a draw.

2nd Test Match -- 19-23 April 2002 at Queens Park Oval Post of Spain

India pulled off a dramatic 37 run victory on the fifth day as West Indies chasing a victory target of 313 runs slumped from 237/4 to 275 all out. Ashish Nehra, Javagal Srinath grabbed three wicket each and Zaheer Khan also usefully chipped in with 2 wickets. Incidentally India had last won a test match in West Indies at the same venue in 1976, 26 years ago. Earlier West Indies having won the toss had put India into bat. Sachin Tendulkar scored his 29th test century and equalled Sir Donald Bradman’s record of centuries yet sachin took 41 more matches than the all time great legend to accomplish the feat. India scored 339 in 115.5 overs. Other notable contributors in this score were RS Dravid (67) VVS Laxman (69). Mortan Black Claimed 3 for 53, Adam Sanford took 3 for 111 and Cameron cuffy grabbed 2 for 49. In reply West Indies scored 245 in 77.5 overs. Only Brian Lara (50) and Sarwan (52) were the notable scorers. Srinath 3/71, Nehra 2/52 and Harbhajan Singh 2/51 were the key destroyers of the home team. Despite Sourv Ganguly’s unbeaten 75 and VVS Laxman’s 74 the home team came back strongly to restrict the visitors to 218 in 92 overs and reeled off 131 for 2 by close of play on the fourth day. Dillon 4/42, Cuffy 3/53 and Sanford 2/46 had demolished India to a relatively low score of 218. West Indies could muster only 275 runs and lost the match. Chris Gayle’s 52, Brian Lara’s 47 and Sarwan’s 41 were the major contributions. Vangipurappu Laxman was adjudged as Man of the Match.

3rd Test Match - 2-5 May 2002 Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbodos

West Indies won the toss and put the visitors into bat. On a day interrupted by rain Dillon (4/41), Adam Sanford (3/20) Cameron Cuffy (1/17) and Collins (1/24) exploited the lively pitch and skittled India out for paltry 102 in 33.4 overs. Sourav Ganguly was top scorer with 48. Magnificent centuries by Hooper (115) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (101) put West Indies into perfect position for levelling the series on the 3rd day. West Indies eventually earned 292 runs lead. Later Sourav Ganguly (60 Not out) with Zaheer Khan (46) added 74 runs for the eight wicket to save India from an innings defeat embarrassment. West Indies earned a well deserved 10 Wicket victory inside four days.

4th Test Match – 10-14th May 2002 Johns St Antigua

The Indians compiled a massive score of 510 for 9 declared VVS Laxman (130), Ajay Ratra (115), Rahul Dravid (91),and Wasim Jaffer (86), were the Chief contributors. Noticeable failure was batting icon Sachin Tendulkar being dismissed for a duck. When the West-Indies batted, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (136 N.o), Skipper Carl Hooper (136) and wicket keeper Jacobs (118) made superb hundreds. It was only the first instance in test cricket history that wicket keeper of both teams had scored hundreds in the same match. Incidentlly the match also produced only the third instance in test cricket history when entire eleven of a team had bowled during a test innings. The whole Indian side bowled in the West – Indies innings of 629for 9 declared in 248 overs. Intrestngly specialist batsman Wasim Jaffer (2), VVS Laxaman (1) Rahul Dravid (1), to their great amusment claimed wickets. Towards the end wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra also turned his arms around while Rahul Dravid kept wickets.

5th Test Match - 18-22 May 2002, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamica

West Indies crushed India by 155 runs and Won the series by 2-1. Sent into bat West Indies piled a total of 422 chiefly built by Man of the Match Wavell Hind (113), Ramnaresh Sarwan (65), Shivnarine Chanderpaoul (58), and Jacobs (59), Harbhajan Singh had a five wicket haul with 5 / 138 Mervyn Dillon again had a five wicket hard – 5/71 as India were bowled out for 212 in 75 overs, VVS Laxman remained unbeaten on 65. Indian bowlers fought back and dismissed West Indies for 191 in the second Innings. Zaheer Khan claimed 4/79 Man of the series Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit another fifty (59). Chosing 408 to Win despite Tendulkar’s blazing Knock (86) India succumbed to West Indian fast bowling and were bowled out for 252 in 88.3 overs with fifth day’s play lasting merely 35 minutes of morning session.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2006 smyaserrafique@yahoo.com)