In Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel will be the first-choice wicketkeeper while Tamil Nadu’s Narayan Jagadeeshan will be the back-up keeper. Sai Sudharshan and Devdutt Padikkal have retained their spots in the squad from the England tour but there is no place for Karun Nair while Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan failed to make a comeback too.
India will begin the two-match Test series against West Indies, which is part of the World Test Championships 2025-27 cycle, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 2 while the second Test is scheduled to take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from October 10. India began the new WTC 2025-27 cycle with a 2-2 draw with England in the ‘Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy’ series.
The squad has a familiar look with the most the core players from the England series retained for the West Indies Tests as well. Jasprit Bumrah has also made himself available for the Test series, although the Asia Cup 2025 final will take place just a few days before the opening day of the first Test.
“Normally, his (Jasprit Bumrah) discussions are with physios, trainers and the coach. We want him to do well, he’s a terrific performer but we have to be careful. But the team comes first,” chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said about Bumrah on Thursday.
Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who missed the last two Tests of the England series due to injury is also back in the Test squad and will be one of four all-rounders apart from Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.
Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has been retained in the squad as well and should be part of the playing 11 for the first Test after his brilliant performance in the Asia Cup 2025, where he is the leading wicket-taker.
On Karun Nair being dropped to bring in Devdutt Padikkal into the side, Agarkar said, “We expected more from Karun Nair. Cant 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.”
Here’s the India squad for the two-match Test series vs West Indies…
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohd Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav and N Jagadeesan