Adrian Frater | Bracing for a severe beating in India

As stated in a previous column, I serious doubt that the Windies will pose a series challenge to India in their two-Test series, which started in Rajkot on Wednesday. In fact, if it wasn't for the chance of seeing master batsman Virat Kohli in action, I doubt I would bother to watch the matches.

Despite India's recent 4-1 defeat at the hands of England, I still believe that India is the best team in the world at this time. In fact, I believe that a combination of their defeat to England, which should make them hungry to redeem themselves, and the advantage of playing in familiar home condition, which should increase their comfort level, should make them an extremely dangerous opponent.

As he showed in the difficult English conditions, in which he emerged the series' top run-getter with an amazing 593 runs, inclusive of two centuries, the dazzling Kohli is in prime form. Having conquered James Anderson and Stuart Broad in England, I am expecting runs to flow from his bat against the seemingly tame Windies attack.

It should be noted that Kohli is not the only India batsman with impressive credentials. The likes of KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan are all gifted batsmen and, like their skipper, could have the Windies team in the sun for many long hours chasing balls, from exquisite shots, to the boundaries.

It is interesting to note that India, which once surrendered a Test match against a red-hot Windies pace attack at Sabina Park, is the team calling for quick pitches. After the way they ruffled England's top order in the recent series, fast bowlers Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami must be looking forward to getting some belated revenge for West Indian damage done in the past.

While I agreed that the Windies team is in transition and the series is just a mere two Test matches, I have very little faith in the Caribbean side, which is devoid of star power. In addition to their inexperience, I believe the team is woefully short of good batting and bowling talent, which is clearly a recipe for pickings by the Indians.

SPINNING SUPPORT

In the batting department, except for Kraigg Brathwaite, who has shown good temperament at times, I see no other batsman to inspire confidence. To be brutally frank, I don't see the likes of Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase blunting the India pace attack, which could get super spinning support from Ravi Ashwin, if needed.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, I believe that Chris Gayle should have been included to bolster the batting. He has the experience to guide the young batsman, he has the power of intimidation in his bat, and he is well used to the conditions in India. In addition, I believe that he deserves to get a proper send-off from Test cricket.

In the bowling department, I see no one to intimidate the Indians. While Shannon Gabriel has a big heart and is likely to give 100 per cent all the time, the supporting cast is woeful. Skipper Jason Holder and Kemar Roach are basically ordinary at best, and, while quite promising, Keemo Paul is still a rookie.

While I am naturally quite pessimistic, I would be really happy if Holder and his team could somehow spring a surprise on me. Like many long-standing West Indian fans who grew up in the era of Windies dominance, I am dying to see a return to the glory days when beating England and India 5-0 was as easy as Sunday morning.

Maybe my hope is impractical because as tame as the team is, the fact that Jamaica, which has had a long history of producing great West Indian batsmen and bowlers, cannot get even a single pick might be the telltale sign that our cricket is now at rock bottom and crying out for a comprehensive review and overhaul.