India will only have a four-day break after the Asia Cup 2025 final as the players will make their on-field return in the home Test series against West Indies, starting October 2. The Asia Cup final will be played on September 28. Those who are part of the T20I and Test teams won’t get enough rest after the continental tournament.
The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee will pick the squad on September 23 or 24. Ahead of the selection meeting, here we have a look at India’s likely squad for the home Test series –
Openers
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul will continue to open the innings for India. They enjoyed success in England and will aim to continue their form in the home conditions. Rahul could also be appointed the vice-captain as Rishabh Pant is set to miss the series due to a fractured foot. He is likely to stay out of action for few more weeks.
Middle-order
Sai Sudharsan will continue to bat at number 3 and will be followed by Gill. The selection panel hinted at moving on from Karun Nair as he wasn’t named in the India A squad for the home series against Australia A. Shreyas Iyer, who is leading India A, is likely to make his Test comeback irrespective of his performance in the unofficial Test. He was dismissed early in the first game. Iyer has been out of the Test squad since the home series against England, which took place early in 2024.
Wicketkeepers
Dhruv Jurel is set to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the series. Ishan Kishan is likely to miss out on the backup spot as he wasn’t named in the India A squad. Narayan Jagadeesan was included for the two unofficial Tests and looks set to keep his place in the Test team. He travelled to England for the fifth Test.
All-Rounders
Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar will keep their places. Axar Patel looks all but set to make his Test comeback. He wasn’t part of the England series.
Bowlers
With Jasprit Bumrah highly likely to be rested, Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack. Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep should keep their spots. Kuldeep Yadav will also be part of the Test team.
India’s likely squad for Test series vs West Indies: Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Narayan Jagadeesan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel