Indian cricketers Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair. (Photo: X/BCCI & Reuters)India Test Squad Announced: The Senior Men’s Selection Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-player squad for the two-match Test series, to be led by Shubman Gill, on Thursday. Middle-order batter Devdutt Padikkal has been recalled to the squad after previously playing in the home series against England, replacing the dropped Karun Nair.
Here are the major takeaways and talking points from the 15-member side announced by Ajit Agarkar:
Nair Omitted After England Struggles
Nair was omitted following a poor performance in the away series against England. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that the team had expected more from him. “We expected more from Karun Nair. It can’t be just one innings. Padikkal offers more. We would like to give 15-20 chances to everyone, but it is not possible in these circumstances,” he said.
India Test Squad vs West Indies Series 2025 Announcement LIVE UPDATES
“Padikkal has been in great form and he was in the team previously,” added Agarkar.
Wicket-Keeper Conundrum in Pant’s Absence
In-form Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper batter N. Jagadeesan, who received his maiden India call-up during the team’s tour of England, has been preferred as cover in the continued absence of Rishabh Pant. Pant is still recovering from a fractured left foot sustained during India’s fourth Test against England in Manchester this past July.
Dhruv Jurel will be the first-choice wicket-keeper, while Ravindra Jadeja has been named vice-captain in Pant’s absence.
The first India vs West Indies match is scheduled to begin on 2nd October 2025.
Easwaran Snub Explained; Axar Benefits
The squad announcement also saw the snub of opening batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was part of the Indian team for both the Australia and England series.
“We cannot take three openers in a home series; instead, we have included an extra spin all-rounder,” Agarkar explained, clarifying the rationale behind omitting Easwaran. This decision led to Axar Patel finding a place in the 16-member squad.
Suthar, Sarfaraz Miss Out
Left-arm off-spinner Manav Suthar, who has been impressive in domestic cricket, was primed for a maiden call-up but will have to wait for his chance. Sarfaraz Khan, who did not get a game in the Australia series and was dropped for the England series, also failed to secure a place in the side.
INDIA: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel & N. Jagadeesan.
The West Indies had announced their 15-member squad for the tour last week. Former captain Kraigg Brathwaite has been dropped while Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze have received recalls.
Roston Chase continues as captain of the side. Keacy Carty, Johann Layne and Mikyle Louis are the names apart from Brathwaite who featured in the series against Australia and are absent from the squad for the India tour. West Indies had lost that series 3-0 and the manner in which they lost the last Test – being all out for a record low score of 27 in the second innings, triggered an emergency meeting to be called and a number of questions being raised on the team’s future in the longest format.
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