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    STUMP VISION                                                          AUGUST 07, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 43

                                3 Tests, 2 Wins, 1 Revival:

            West Indies Find Their Test Identity

            The biggest transformation has been with the bat. For years, batting collapses prevented West

                                  Indies from competing consistently. That narrative is changing

                      ARCHAN MEHTA

                  he Caribbean roar is no longer
                  just an echo of the past; it is
            Tbecoming the sound of a team
            rediscovering itself.
                West Indies may still be eighth
            in the ICC World Test Champion-
            ship standings with just a 22.73 per-
            cent points percentage, but the table
            does not tell the full story. Sometimes
            progress is measured less by position
            and more by direction. Over the last
            three Tests, Roston Chase’s side has
            shown exactly that. An innings-and-
            217-run demolition of Sri Lanka, a
            hard-fought draw after scoring 499   Justin Greaves has emerged as the symbol of this new-look West Indies. His all-round contributions have been invaluable, whether it was five
            against the same opponents, and now     wickets against Pakistan, a match-winning 180 against Sri Lanka, or consistently breaking partnerships with the ball (File photo)
            a commanding 90-run victory over
            Pakistan have offered clear evidence   92 laid the platform before the lower   visitors. Pakistan, chasing 211, were   standings still paint a difficult picture.
            that this is a team beginning to build   order stretched the lead with price-  bowled out for just 120 as West Indies   Australia,  South Africa and New
            an identity. The climb back to the top   less contributions. These are no lon-  claimed all 20 wickets through seam   Zealand have surged ahead, while
            of Test cricket remains steep, but for   ger isolated performances. Different   bowling. It was a performance that   West Indies remain outside conten-
            the first time in years, West Indies ap-  players are stepping up in different   felt like a tribute to the great Carib-  tion for the final. But rankings rarely
            pear to be climbing instead of slipping.  situations, making the batting unit far   bean pace attacks of old.  capture momentum. Back-to-back
                The biggest transformation has   more dependable.                   Perhaps the most encouraging   victories and a drawn series built on
            been with the bat. For years, batting   Yet the heartbeat of this revival   sign is that this resurgence is not   resilience have restored something
            collapses prevented West Indies from   remains  the  fast  bowlers.  Caribbe-  dependent on one superstar. Justin   even more valuable: belief. The team
            competing consistently. That nar-  an cricket has always been built on   Greaves has emerged as the symbol   is once again competing across all
            rative is changing. Amir Jangoo an-  pace, and this attack is beginning to   of this new-look West  Indies. His   four innings, producing big scores,
            nounced  himself  with  a  magnificent   remind the world why. Kemar Roach   all-round contributions have been   taking  20  wickets  and  finding  new
            233 in the first Test against Sri Lanka,   reached the  milestone  of 300 Test   invaluable, whether it was five wick-  match-winners. For a generation of
            while captain Roston Chase produced   wickets during the Sri Lanka series,   ets against Pakistan, a match-winning   Caribbean fans that has waited pa-
            a marathon 194 in the same innings   underlining his enduring value as   180 against Sri Lanka, or consistently   tiently for signs of a revival, these last
            as West Indies piled up 626. A week   both leader and strike bowler. Along-  breaking partnerships with the ball.   three Tests feel less like an isolated
            later, Justin Greaves delivered the in-  side him, Jayden Seales has matured   Around him, players such as Hodge,   purple patch and more like the foun-
            nings of his career with a composed   into one of the most complete young   Hope, Campbell, Jangoo and Chase   dation of something sustainable.
            180, Shai Hope added a classy cen-  quicks in the game, while Shamar Jo-  have  all  made  significant  contribu-  From Survivors to Believers, the
            tury, and John Campbell and Bran-  seph continues to bring raw pace and   tions. The dressing room suddenly   West Indian team are finally playing
            don King both registered unbeaten   relentless aggression. Against Paki-  looks deeper, calmer and more bal-  test cricket with a purpose
            fifties in the fourth innings. Against   stan in Tarouba, Seales produced a   anced. Instead of waiting for individu-
            Pakistan, the batting was tested in   sensational 5 for 18 in the fourth in-  al brilliance, West Indies are winning   Archan Mehta is a writer dedicated to
            much tougher conditions, yet Kavem   nings, while Roach, Joseph and Justin   sessions through collective effort.  telling compelling stories about athletes,
            Hodge’s gritty 84 and Hope’s fluent   Greaves combined to rip through the   The World Test Championship   teams, and the world of cricket

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