Partab Ramchand wonders if India can be deemed the favourites for the series against the West Indies

Going by what is being said and written of late, it would appear that the Indians have been installed as the favourites for the five-match Test series against the West Indies. From Ajit Wadekar to Erapalli Prasanna and from Vivian Richards to Andy Roberts, besides critics, commentators and fans, opinions have been expressed that clearly indicate this. Well, well, that is something. Who would have thought that India would be handed the favourites tag for a series away from the sub-continent?

While it is true that the West Indian team of today is but a pale shadow of their all-conquering squad that ruled world cricket roughly from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, it must not be forgotten that the continuous reverses they have suffered have been away from home. In the Caribbean, they are still a force to reckon with as the recent record illustrates.

A major factor that is being perceived to be in favour of the Indians is the weakness of the opposition. Richards, a former captain and coach, has made it clear that the West Indian team's fortunes are at an all-time low. "The player pool is not as big as it used to be," he has lamented.

Roberts, a former fast bowling great, has also said that India stood a better chance than any other team touring the West Indies in the last few years. "Cricket in the West Indies is not what it used to be," Roberts has conceded. However, he also struck a cautionary note.

"But we are improving in the last few months and we always play well at home like any other team does. Also, we have some youngsters who have shown a lot of potential to develop into great fast bowlers. They are bowling genuinely fast and I am sure they will do well in this series," Roberts has said.

In India, the optimism is more enthusiastic than guarded. "This is India's best chance to beat the West Indies on their home soil. If we cannot win now, we will never win," said Wadekar, who led India to their only series win in the West Indies, a 1-0 victory in five-Test series in 1971.

"West Indian cricket is in doldrums. Except for Lara, Hooper and Chanderpaul, they do not have any reputed international players," Wadekar has said. He also cited the lack of quality fast bowlers in the West Indian ranks as a reason for being optimistic about India's chances. Another factor in the favour of the Indians, according to Wadekar, is the slowness of the pitches.

"The wickets in the West Indies are no longer as fast as they used to be. As such the West Indies are not able to produce world-class fast bowlers any more," according to the 61-year-old former left-handed batsman.

Prasanna, 62 next month, shares Wadekar's optimism. "India should win because of the West Indies' overall weakness," said the former Test off-spinner, who is one among three Indian cricketers to have toured the West Indies thrice.

"I would give India a 65-35 chance. Matches may go the full five days, but India will prevail in the end," he is quoted to have said.

While it is true that the West Indian team of today is but a pale shadow of their all-conquering squad that ruled world cricket roughly from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, it must not be forgotten that the continuous reverses they have suffered have been away from home. In the Caribbean, they are still a force to reckon with as the recent record illustrates.

During the last few years, when the slide has been palpable, the West Indies have defeated New Zealand, India, England, Zimbabwe and Pakistan, have shared a series with Australia and have lost only to South Africa 2-1 in a five-match series last year. True, whatever the batting limitations following the retirement of several stalwarts, they had the services of the old firm of Ambrose and Walsh in all these contests, barring the final one when Walsh had to plough a lonely furrow after Ambrose had called it a day.

Against India even Walsh will be missing, the world-record holder having retired as well. The newer breed of fast bowlers are admittedly nowhere in the class of their predecessors and this is being cited as the chief reason why India have been installed as favourites. It is worth recalling, however, that the main wrecker when the Indians last toured the West Indies five years ago was neither Walsh nor Ambrose and not even that other experienced campaigner and much feared fast bowler Ian Bishop but a rookie named Franklyn Rose who made his debut in that series.

This year too, according to reports, the West Indies have one surprise weapon in a young fast bowler Adam Sanford. The 25-yearold Leeward Islands speedster has been named in the list of 22 probables currently going through the rigorous of a training camp under the watchful eyes of the coach, former West Indian offspinner Roger Harper.

In any case, whatever the bowling limitations of the West Indies ­ and admittedly it is difficult to see the inexperienced line-up scythe through an Indian batting order of Das, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly and Mongia ­ the batting credentials of the home team cannot be just shrugged off.

The return of Brian Lara is one positive factor in the West Indies' favour. As the recent series in Sri Lanka proved, Lara has lost none of his class or skill and continues to be a feared opponent. And a batting line-up that has, besides Lara, the likes of Ridley Jacobs, Carl Hooper, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Wavell Hinds cannot be dismissed lightly.

But the most encouraging news from the West Indian viewpoint is that Gary Sobers is to be closely involved with the team. The legendary all-rounder's inputs, priceless bits of advice and his very presence is bound to inspire the young players to great heights.

Ultimately, however, one has to observe India's record in the Caribbean and wonder how the team could ever be installed as favourites while the underdogs tag would perhaps be more apt. In seven Test series' from 1953 to 1997, India have lost six and won one. Of 33 Tests, India has won two, lost 14 and drawn 17. It is also worth pondering over the fact that even in 1997, when the West Indian decline was clearly marked, they still managed to defeat India. With all this evidence, should India realistically be the favourites or the underdogs for the Test series?