Shane Shillingford confident of spoiling Sachin Tendulkar's farewell party

West Indies head into the two-match series with many Indian fans wondering why is Sunil Narine not in the Test side. Thanks to his exploits in the Indian Premier League, Narine has become a household name amongst Kolkata Knight Riders' fans. However, the mystery off-break bowler was overlooked for the Test leg of India tour as a certain Shane Shillingford is higher in the pecking order.

Shillingford has been long serving warrior in domestic cricket for the Windward Islands. The 30-year-old has taken 361 wickets in 82 first class cricket with an impressive average of just 23.06.  He made his Test debut against South Africa at Port-of-Spain in 2010 and went on to pick up 18 wickets in his first six Tests. After losing out on a berth to play against India in his 2011 tour, the off-break bowler now has plans to spoil Sachin Tendulkar's farewell party at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in November.

"We are the underdogs but we have great players that do the basics well and we are going to give Sachin and the team a run for their money," Shillingford was recently quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

On a tour of Sri Lanka in 2010, Shillingford's bowling action was deemed illegal. He fought back, went through remedial training and worked his way back into the team for the home series against Australia in 2012 and picked up 14 wickets in two matches. In his next three Tests, against England and Zimbabwe he took 20 wickets in all. With a lot of promise on offer, Shillingford seems to have learnt the tricks required to succeed on Indian wickets.

"It was difficult to come to India and not play some years ago but I watched carefully and learned from the sidelines," he said. "They have passionate crowds and it can be tough at times but since then, I've honed my craft and taken notes."

Another spinner who has been entrusted the responsibility of spin bowling is rookie left-arm orthodox bowler Veeraswamy Permaul. The 24-year-old is in tremendous form coming in to the Test series with 10 wickets in the three unofficial four-day games in Mysore and Shimoga against Cheteshwar Pujara-led India A three weeks ago. Permaul's exploits were vital to the West Indies A's cause as the visitors drew the series 1-1.

Shillingford, who is second-best ranked West Indies bowler in Tests at 24th spot, behind 14th ranked Kemar Roach, says he has been researching Indian wickets.

"I took a lot of notes of how Indian bowlers vary their pace under these conditions and pitches. I monitored (Ravichandran) Ashwin a lot and I cannot wait to come and assess the conditions for myself. Then I'll adapt," he said.

The Dominica-born bowler was named man of the series for picking up 19 wickets against Zimbabwe in the recent two-Test series. Former Pakistan off-break bowler and spin doctor Saqlain Mushtaq helped the West Indies bowler deal will pressures of living up to increased expectations.

"This pressure is something Saqlain helped prepare us for with his spin clinic in Barbados recently," he said. "This course taught us about inspiration, tactics, physical and mental preparation and I'm looking forward to implementing these things in India."

Shillingford has his sights firmly on improving on his game. "I have to work at this spinning spot because I want to be a key member in the Test team. It's an honor and with consistency, we'll make it further up the rankings. India is a big occasion but I feel we can rise above this challenge," he added.