5 Indian cricketers who always did well against West Indies
India and West Indies share a rich history in cricket, with the first Test between these two having been played as far back as 1948. India couldn't notch up a single victory against them until 1971, when a certain Sunil Gavaskar, making his debut, contributed in both innings to hand India a seven-wicket win. Over the years, the West Indian domination has faded away, yet they still remain a testing opposition, especially in home conditions.
A few Indian cricketers have consistently performed well against the West Indies. Here’s a look at five of them:
Also read: West Indies vs India 2016: 5 best batting performances by Indian batsmen in the West Indies
Anil Kumble
Kumble returns to the Indian Team setup, this time in the capacity of head coach, having been given the role last month. As a player, Kumble was known for his resolute persona, battling the odds to conjure that elusive wicket for India. Not in the traditional leg spinner mould, his deliveries used to zip off the surface, often disconcerting the best of batsmen.
His first Test series against the West Indies was in 1994, when the then 24-year old picked up 13 wickets from three Tests. In the first innings of the third Test at Mohali, Kumble took 4-90, assisted in the bowling attack by two more spinners in the form of Venkatapathy Raju and Aashish Kapoor. He travelled to the Caribbean in 1997, this time in a more central role, gathering 19 victims across five Tests. His 2002 tour was cut short, owing to a fractured jaw courtesy a Mervyn Dillon bouncer, but he left for home not before picking up the wicket of Brian Lara, complete with a bandaged jaw, epitomising his never-say-die spirit.
He played one more series, in 2006, picking up 23 wickets, including 6-78 in the last innings of the final Test, running through the batting to give India its first series win in the West Indies in 35 years.
Overall figures against West Indies: Matches: 17 Wickets: 74 Best: 6-78 Average: 29.78 Strike-Rate: 63.4