Rohit Decides Against Significant Alterations as India Aims for Series Sweep

 

India captain Rohit Sharma is uncertain about the pitch and conditions that await his team at Queen's Park Oval this week. Nevertheless, he has ruled out any major changes to the side for the second test against West Indies, which is set to begin on Thursday.

Ahead of the first test in Roseau, India won within three days, and Rohit announced Yashasvi Jaiswal as his new opening partner, replacing Shubman Gill, who was moved down to number three.

With the possibility of rain hovering over the match, India has not yet finalized their playing XI as they aim for a 2-0 series sweep.

"We had a clear idea in Dominica when we saw the pitch and understood the conditions," Rohit told reporters on Tuesday. "However, here, due to the talk of rain, we lack clarity. But I don't believe there will be significant changes. Based on the conditions, we will make our decisions," Rohit stated.

The two-test series marks the beginning of a transition for India, with Gill taking the place of veteran Cheteshwar Pujara at number three, and Jaiswal and stumper-batsman Ishan Kishan making their test debut in Roseau.

Rohit was particularly impressed with Kishan's performance behind the stumps in Roseau, where India's spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took 17 of the 20 West Indian wickets, paving the way for their victory.

"He kept exceptionally well, considering it was his first test match and he was keeping to Jadeja and Ashwin on a pitch with turn, bounce, and the occasional low ball," Rohit said. "Ishan is an incredibly talented player; he recently scored a double hundred in a one-day international. We just need to give him the freedom to express himself. I had a clear chat with him about how we want him to play."