India have revealed a 15-man side for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies, with Ravindra Jadeja named as vice-captain. As expected, Karun Nair has failed to find a place in the team, while Devdutt Padikkal has been included.
"Frankly, we expected a little bit more. I mean, he's played four Tests. That's the way it is, I mean, we feel (Devdutt) Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point. And I wish we could give everyone 15 or 20 Tests. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Padikkal's been in the Test squad. I mean, he was in the Test squad in Australia, played in Dharamshala against England, got a 50 there. So he's shown some decent form with India," said chief selector Ajit Agarkar during the press conference in Dubai.
"Frankly, we expected a bit more from Karun on the England trip there"
Another striking exclusion is Abhimanyu Easwaran, who keeps waiting for his Indian debut even after being named in teams for Australia and England, only to sit on the bench. "We don't need a third opener at home," said Agarkar on Abhimanyu's absence from the lineup.
Rishabh Pant has not recovered in time to be included in the team. He had been vice-captain for the England tour, a position now being occupied by Ravindra Jadeja. Dhruv Jurel and N. Jagadeesan have been included as the two wicket-keeping specialists, with Jurel likely to be the first choice.
The remaining team has a customary mix. With hopes that spin on home grounds will be major contributors, India have taken Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel as the spin-bowling allrounders, with the addition of Kuldeep Yadav. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been chosen as the specialist fast-bowling allrounder, along with the assistance of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna as the main pacers.
The entire India team for the West Indies tour is: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N Jagadeesan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav.
This series will be India's inaugural home campaign with new Test captain Shubman Gill, who earlier captained the side to a 2-2 draw with England. It is also the inaugural series in the 2025–2027 World Test Championship cycle. The series will begin with the first Test at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 2, and the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from October 10.
The West Indies team reached Ahmedabad on September 24 and commenced a training camp prior to the first Test. This series is their second task in the fresh ICC WTC cycle following a home assignment against Australia in June–July. Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who received his first Test call-up, is a notable inclusion. Pierre, aged 33, was the top wicket-taker in the previous season's West Indies Championship with 41 wickets at a rate of 13.56. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, is also named.
With chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar present at the Asia Cup in the UAE, the team meeting was held online. This was the last selection involving committee members S. Sharath and Subroto Banerjee. Sharath and Banerjee were replaced by Pragyan Ojha (South Zone) and R.P. Singh (Central Zone) at the BCCI AGM on September 28.
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