India has won just 2 of the 28 Tests played in the Caribbean

Anant Gaundalkar

India, on their seventh tour of the Caribbean, begin their campaign on Thursday, when they play the West Indies in the first of five Test matches, at the Sabina Park in Jamaica.

At the outset, I must mention that it will be an uphill task for India to win a Test, leave alone the series. A glance at past Indian campaigns in the West Indies reveals that the visitors have won only two out of the 28 Tests played in the picturesque Caribbean.

The inaugural victory was achieved under the leadership of Ajit Wadekar in 1970-71. This also marks India's only series win against the Windies abroad. India's second and last Test triumph was registered almost eleven years back when Bishan Singh Bedi headed the squad, during a most controversial series in 1975-76.

Against this disappointing historical backdrop, the poor performance in South Africa and Javagal Srinath's exit from the side, India faces a daunting battle.

The last series between the two sides, which was played in India in 1994-95, ended in a draw with the Windies winning the last Test at Mohali.

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