1st Test, Preview: India vs West Indies at Rajkot

Rajkot, Oct 3 - After two consecutive away series defeats, India will be desperate to taste victory when they take on an inexperienced West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium, starting here on Thursday.

The Virat Kohli-led team India suffered a disastrous 1-4 defeat at the hands of England after enduring a 1-2 series loss against South Africa earlier this year.

After this home series, India is scheduled to tour Australia and therefore, Kohli and the team management will try their best to shed their shortcomings before the next big series.

On Thursday, as openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan have been axed from the squad, young Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw is all set to receive his maiden Test cap to open the innings with KL Rahul.

Moreover, after a decent show in first-class cricket, Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal has been included in the Indian side. However, Mayank is likely to be left out on Thursday but might get a chance in the second Test at Hyderabad.

Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant too will feature in the playing eleven as skipper Kohli has hinted that he is against making too many changes in the lower-middle order.

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