The spotlight will be on Rishabh Pant as Wriddhiman Saha’s prospects of making a comeback in the XI brightened ahead of the second and final Test against West Indies at the Sabina Park in Jamaica from Friday.

Leading 1-0 in the series after thrashing the hosts by 318 runs in Antigua, India don’t have too many reasons to worry, barring lack of enough runs by their top order and of course, the misfiring Pant.

Not even a jot of doubt exists over Pant’s talent and abilities, especially with the bat, but the youngster’s inconsistency is turning out to be a problem.

Barring the two Test centuries — one of which came in the inconsequential final Test versus England at The Oval — Pant hardly has made any meaningful or significant contribution across all formats.

Opportunities certainly came his way. First during the home series against Australia, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was rested for the last two ODIs and Pant duly took his place. But did he contribute in those two crucial games? No.

Then came the World Cup. He played just four matches in the competition, but couldn’t get even one half-century with 48 being his highest. Besides, despite being well set in the semi-final, he threw it all away with a rash shot.

Now in the ongoing tour of the Caribbean, his only contribution of note has been the unbeaten 65 in the third and final T20I. In Antigua too, after the top order failed to deliver, the opportunity was there for him to play a knock that could take India to a stronger position, but he again fluffed the chance.

Jasprit Bumrah in North Sound. (AP)

Thankfully, Ajinkya Rahane rose to the occasion in both the innings, Ravindra Jadeja hit some crucial runs in the first and then the bowlers steamrolled the Windies as India cruised to victory.

With Pant failing to cash in on one opportunity after another, it won’t be much of a surprise if Saha regains his place in the XI. The last time Saha donned the India cap was back in January 2018, in the first Test against South Africa in Cape Town, before being ruled out with injury.

The surgery in Saha’s right shoulder kept him out of the international circuit for a long time. But now he is fully fit and to be fair to the 34-year-old, he has a better experience and knowledge of conditions in the Caribbean.

The previous occasion when India toured the West Indies, in 2016, Saha had hit a century. That was also his maiden Test hundred, scored after India were reduced to 126 for five.

At the same time, his 117 against Australia in Ranchi — his third century — also came when circumstances weren’t quite in India’s favour.

In a nutshell, Saha may not be having the flair and flamboyance of Pant, but he appears to be the more reliable candidate during tough situations, which is a massive plus in the longest format.

However, a proper analysis of the performances of the two teams does suggest that the visitors go into the Test as overwhelming favourites. The pitch at the Sabina Park tends to assist quicks, but its nature may not be too big a factor, considering how India’s bowlers have been faring, aided by an absolute below-par Windies batting.

Led by Jasprit Bumrah, the pacers, no wonder, have been doing a fine job for India and more importantly, are consistent. “Seamers are at their best when they are getting wickets.

“The five-wicket haul for both Ishant (Sharma) and Bumrah will give them tremendous confidence. Also, (Mohammed) Shami looked good whenever he was given the ball and it augurs well for the team,” bowling coach Bharat Arun said.

Match starts: 8pm (IST)