India are scheduled to play two home Tests against the West Indies starting October 2. Here's what the squad for the series could look like.
This will be India's first home Test assignment under Shubman Gill's captaincy, and their first one since the 3-0 loss against New Zealand last year. Despite retirements of several senior pros including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin, exctiement and optimism around the Indian Test side is at a high, especially following their 2-2 draw in England.
The squad for the series, which begins on October 2 right after the conclusion of the Asia Cup, is expected to be announced on September 24. Since it's a home series, a smaller, possibly 15-member contingent can be expected, which means several fringe players might miss out.
Also read: India squad for West Indies Tests, live updates: Who's in, who's out?
Here's what India's squad for the West Indies series could look like:
Predicted India squad for West Indies Tests
Openers
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
Jaiswaland Rahul, both of whom had outstanding tours of England, should be back at the top for the West Indies Tests. The last time Rahul opened in a home Test was in 2023, against Australia. Since then, he has shuffled around the order, but with Rohit's retirement, he grabbed his opening opportunity with both hands in England and should be in for a consistent run at the top. Jaiswal, on the other hand, has proven how destructive he can be at home, having made 712 runs at 89 against England last year.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, India's perennial backup opener for the last few years, might not find a spot in this squad if the selectors decide to keep the size to 15.
Middle order batters
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, N Jagadeesan
Sai Sudharsan looks set to continue at No.3 after debuting in the England series couple of months back. His place in the XI is far from certain though, with Devdutt Padikkal breathing down his neck. Padikkal, who has already played two Tests, scored 150 in the first four-day game against Australia A last week and is in fine form. That, coupled with Karun Nair's lukewarm returns in a high-scoring England series, should ensure that the left-hander from Karnataka finds a place in the fifteen over the veteran right-hander.
A couple of other names could be in consideration as well: Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan. Iyer was named captain of the India A side to face Australia A, but pulled out of the second game for unknown reasons. He hasn't had a good start to the first-class season either, not registering a single fifty in his first three games. Sarfaraz, meanwhile suffered an injury in the Buchi Babu tournament where he scored two centuries, meaning both he and Iyer could be overlooked for the West Indies Tests.
Rishabh Pant, India's designated vice-captain in England, is all set to miss the series as he hasn't recovered from the fractured foot he suffered in the fourth Test in Manchester. Dhruv Jurel, who hit 140 against Australia A in the first unofficial Test, should continue as the main wicketkeeper in the squad and the XI.
With keeping being a specialist job and injuries to keepers not uncommon, especially on spin-friendly surfaces where the ball can turn and bounce awkwardly, India might want to have a backup for Jurel in the squad, which could be Narayan Jagadeesan. He was called up for the fifth Test in England and has been in sublime form in first-class cricket. In the unlikely scenario that the selectors don't feel the need for a backup keeper, one of Iyer or Sarafaraz (if fit) might get a go.
All-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel
This would be India's first home Test series since the retirement of R Ashwin, who was instrumental in India's unmatched success for over a decade at home. However, in Washington Sundar, they seem to have found an able replacement, who for the moment, can do no wrong. Axar Patel should also return to the fold, coming straight in from Asia Cup duties, while Ravindra Jadeja will continue to remain one of the most important members of the Indian Test side.
The West Indies Tests could also be the first time Nitish Kumar Reddy gets an opportunity in whites at home. The all-rounder was ruled out of the last two Tests in England due to an injury, but has recovered and is playing the second unofficial Test against Australia A. If the selectors feel he's fit enough to bowl 10-12 overs a day (he bowled eight on the first day of the second unofficial Test), there's every chance he makes the squad, and maybe even the XI.
Bowlers
Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Jasprit Bumrah's workload management became a contentious issue during the Enlgand Tests, and it can become one again. Whether he plays both Tests against the West Indies or not remains to be seen, but he's expected to be picked in the squad, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna as the second and third seamers. Kuldeep Yadav will round off the bowling attack as the lead spinner, and hope that he finally gets a game.
India's predicted Test squad vs WI
Openers
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
Middle order batters
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, N Jagadeesan (wk)
All-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel
Bowlers
Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
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