Evaluating Sai Sudharsan’s temperament and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s worth in home conditions will top India’s agenda when the confident hosts take on a West Indies side that is struggling in the second and final Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla from Friday. India’s line-up, loaded with individual excellence, will take on a Caribbean side who look like a shadow of their past glory, a past glory this team is currently struggling to remain relevant in under the longest format.

The visitors’ innings defeat in Ahmedabad was yet another reminder for them of their fall from great heights. For India, it is not just about sealing the series. The effort is also about solidifying their World Test Championship standing and building momentum heading into the more difficult home challenge that puts South Africa on the schedule later this year. The Kotla pitch is expected to assist seamers slightly. Ryan ten Doeschate, assistant coach, noted a “dry patch” that may result in a quicker surface.

Spotlight on Sudharsan’s form, Nitish’s growth that could elevate India’s confidence

India is set to name the same XI that featured in the first Test, with Nitish Kumar Reddy expected to keep his spot. Bowling remains Reddy's biggest asset, and the management views him as a long-term prospect in the seam-bowling all-rounder role. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan's six low scores in his last seven innings are generating mild concern. Despite captain Shubman Gill being firmly in his corner, the left-hander knows he needs some runs sooner rather than later, with competition for batting spots strong.

India's top order remains in imperious form - Yashasvi Jaiswal is excited, KL Rahul has three hundreds in six Tests, Kaplan, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja all batted heavily in Ahmedabad. On the other hand, the West Indies look rudderless, with head coach Darren Sammy lamenting their "terminal decline", as the legends Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, and Brian Lara attempted to encourage the squad by giving them a pep talk.

Everything is leading towards another emphatic win for India - quick, clinical, and possibly inside three days - unless the visitors can summon rare resistance on a Kotla track expected to reward positive stroke play.

Squads:

India: Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (Wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Devdutt Padikkal.

West Indies: Roston Chase (Captain), Teganarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Justin Greaves, Kharry Pierre, Shai Hope, Jayden Seals, Jamel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Jediah Blades, Tevin Imlach, Anderson Phillip.

(With PTI Inputs)