PORT OF SPAIN: The
Queen’s Park Oval
is a historic cricket arena which has retained its old-worldly feel. It’s also, like most other stadiums in the Caribbean, a picturesque venue besides being the biggest in
West Indies
in terms of spectator capacity: 25,000.
For India, this ground has special significance. The win India clinched on this ground in March 1971 was not only their maiden Test victory in West Indies, it also led to their first-ever overseas series win. The legend of
Sunil Gavaskar also took root here when he stroked a century and a double century in the final Test of the same series (it was a draw) to cap an outstanding debut series.
Then, in April 1976, India recorded one of their greatest Test wins by chasing down 406 in the fourth innings.
The fourth Test which begins here on Thursday will be another momentous occasion for Team India as it enters the ground as the No. 1 Test team in the world. India now have to win this Test to retain the rank which otherwise will go to Pakistan.
Who will bet against India not winning the Test and retaining the top rank? Having already pocketed the series 2-0, their confidence is sky high; they have most bases covered whatever be the conditions; they have been clinical in exploiting the many chinks in West Indies’ armour and they are still hungry for more success.
Now, they have the added motivation of retaining the No. 1 status if they win here. Captain
Virat Kohli has spoken about the team’s need to inculcate ‘good habits.’ “Winning is a good habit and we want this team to develop good habits,” he had said after winning the first Test in Antigua. If habits die hard, then West Indies are in for some hard times again.
As the cliché goes, West Indies have only pride to play for. But do they have enough pride in their performance in the Test arena? Sadly, one is forced to be sceptical on this count, going by the way they have been playing Test cricket for a while now. They have allowed teams to ride roughshod over them without putting up an earnest challenge. Their capitulation for 108 at Gros Islet in the third Test last week was the latest episode in this Caribbean soap opera.
One hopes the ‘glorious uncertainties’ of cricket will be at work and help West Indies surprise us with a display worthy of the great legacy of West Indian cricket. At least, let them go out with a bang.
History suggests that the pitch will assist swing early on Day 1 which may prompt the captain who wins the toss to go for bowling first. The Queen’s Park strip is also known to turn from third day onwards. Whether it’s swing or spin, India have the upper hand.
Rain and thunderstorms have been lashing the city for the last three days and are predicted for the next three days too. The final two days are also expected to be cloudy. Thankfully, it clears up quickly after a spell of rain here. But keep fingers crossed.
Persistent clouds in the sky, meanwhile, may help pace bowlers to move it around.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, fresh from a dream spell in Gros Islet, will relish that more than anyone else. And if there is turn in the latter part of the Test, R Ashwin will once again loom large for West Indies. Ashwin is also on the verge of a remarkable landmark: If he manages to take eight wickets here, he will join Clarrie Grimmett as the fastest to 200 wickets – in 36 Tests. Grimmett achieved this feat in 1936!