Before the tour began, India's leading pacer Javagal Srinath, then one of the five top-ranked bowlers in the ICC Rankings, was ruled out due to injury.

His ruling out proved to a blow for India as West Indian batsman Brian Lara had then called Srinath the most "dangerous" pace bowler he had faced in his career.

[3] Spinner Noel David was flown immediately to the Caribbean, but his inclusion in the squad was denied to be as a replacement for Srinath by the BCCI, but "keeping with the requirements of the touring team management".

Despite having scored a hundred in a warm-up game at the same venue on 24 April, Sourav Ganguly was not included in the side and Navjot Singh Sidhu replaced him.

The innings was however interrupted by rain four times and a target of 146 in 34 overs was set for West Indies based on Clark's Curve.

The second game of the series was played on the same venue the next day with India winning the toss again and sending the West Indies to bat first on what was now a drier pitch and overcast conditions.

India made three changes: Sourav Ganguly was included in the side in place of an off-form Robin Singh, spinner Sunil Joshi was dropped for debutante Noel David and Saba Karim replaced an injured Nayan Mongia as wicket-keeper.

India won the toss and put West Indies, who replaced Ian Bishop by Ottis Gibson, to bat first on a rough wicket with "slight" grass.

[8] Abey Kuruvilla trapped Shivnarine Chanderpaul lbw early on before opener Stuart Williams and Brian Lara put on 60 runs for the second wicket.

Rahul Dravid joined opener Sourav Ganguly and the two put on 130 runs, then the highest partnership for the second wicket for India, scoring at a steady pace, both going past 70s.