Top News

The senior selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will convene on Wednesday, 24 September to select the squad for India’s forthcoming two-Test series against a visiting West Indies side. The series begins in Ahmedabad on 2 October, just four days after the Asia Cup final in Dubai, marking a swift shift of focus to red-ball cricket for the first time since the enthralling Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy.
For the first time in more than a decade, India will host a Test series without their stalwarts — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin — all of whom retired prior to the England Tests. The new generation, led by Shubman Gill, exceeded expectations by drawing the five-match series in England 2–2, and they will be buoyant as they prepare to face a West Indies outfit with a poor record away from home.

This series also marks India’s first appearance on home soil since their shock 0–3 defeat to New Zealand last year.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar is expected to announce the squad during a press interaction in Dubai on the sidelines of India’s Asia Cup Super Four clash with Bangladesh on Wednesday, 24 September.
Here is a look at how the Test squad might shape up for Shubman Gill’s first home series as captain.
India have a fairly settled Test squad, with more than half the side selecting itself. However, several crucial positions remain open for debate.

Will Bumrah Play?
The major talking point ahead of selection day concerns Jasprit Bumrah’s availability. With a packed schedule building towards the T20 World Cup in February–March next year, there was speculation that Bumrah could be rested.

However, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate hinted that the pace spearhead will be included. While noting that Bumrah might not be rested during the Asia Cup Super Four stage, the former Netherlands international suggested that the fast bowler could still play the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium, despite the short turnaround from the Asia Cup final.

Whether this proves a wise decision is debatable, given the workload ahead. India face five T20Is in Australia in October–November, followed by another five against a visiting South Africa in November–December, not to mention two Tests in South Africa, for which Bumrah’s services will be essential.

Mohammed Shami is unlikely to be recalled despite the relative inexperience of the pace attack. The veteran seamer has not played Tests since the World Test Championship final in 2023 and missed tours of Australia and England through injury, though he did feature in India’s Champions Trophy campaign in February. Reports suggest selectors and team management doubt his physical readiness to withstand the rigours of five-day cricket.

India’s pace unit is therefore expected to consist of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep, with Bumrah’s inclusion bolstering the attack. Siraj returns fresh from success in England, while Prasidh awaits his first home Test. Akash, meanwhile, is recovering from an impact injury and will be assessed prior to selection. Should he miss out, Harshit Rana or Arshdeep Singh may be called up.

No Rishabh Pant
India’s first-choice wicketkeeper–batter will miss the series as he continues to recover from the leg injury sustained during the England tour.

Dhruv Jurel, who kept wicket in the final Test at the Oval, is likely to start. He has impressed for India A, scoring 140 against Australia A in Lucknow. N Jagadeesan, flown in as back-up during the England series, is expected to retain his place as reserve wicketkeeper, while also offering an option at the top of the order.

The No. 3 Conundrum
India have stability at the top with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, while Gill will continue at No. 4 after his record-breaking series in England. The difficulty remains at No. 3, a position unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara’s omission.

Gill was tried in that role without success, while Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan were tested in England. Nair failed to impress, whereas Sudharsan showed promise without converting starts. India may persist with the Tamil Nadu batter, hoping home conditions bring better returns.

The Abhimanyu Easwaran Dilemma
Abhimanyu Easwaran, long in contention but still uncapped, may once again miss out. With Jagadeesan covering the dual role of wicketkeeper and reserve opener, Easwaran’s place looks increasingly precarious.

His exclusion from the ongoing second unofficial Test for India A — where Jagadeesan retained his spot after a fifty in the first game — further underscores the selectors’ direction.

Middle-Order Options and the Karun Nair Question
Karun Nair’s comeback ahead of the England series was billed as a redemption story, yet he managed only one fifty across four Tests. Tried at both No. 3 and No. 5, he did contribute a vital half-century in the series finale.

Competition comes from Devdutt Padikkal, who struck 150 for India A against Australia A in Lucknow. Yet selectors may prefer to persist with Nair, given his experience and the lack of middle-order alternatives.
Shreyas Iyer, initially slated for a return, has withdrawn from India A’s series citing back issues and is unlikely to be considered for red-ball cricket in the near future. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Ahmed remains sidelined as he continues rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Spin-Bowling Unit
Ravindra Jadeja, absent since the England tour, will spearhead the spin attack in the absence of his long-time partner R Ashwin. Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar are automatic inclusions.
Axar Patel, out of favour since missing last year’s home season, hopes for a recall. His last Test appearance was against England in February 2024. He faces stiff competition from Rajasthan’s Manav Suthar, who recently claimed a five-wicket haul against Australia A and boasts 95 wickets in 23 first-class matches.

India’s Probable Test Squad v West Indies
Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

Bench: N Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Devdutt Padikkal