India vs West Indies, 1st Test – Match Preview

After a controversial Asia Cup, India will begin their home season against the West Indies in a two-match Test series at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, from Thursday. Shubman Gill’s team had drawn the series against England by 2-2 and they would look to deliver in the home conditions.

India was stunned by New Zealand in 2024 and they would not want to be complacent against the Windies. Shubman Gill had led from the front against England as he had amassed 754 runs in five Test matches.

Meanwhile, in Rishabh Pant’s absence, Dhruv Jurel would look to grab his chance with both hands. As Karun Nair could not deliver consistently against England, Devdutt Padikkal has been added to India’s squad.

Furthermore, India has quality spinners like Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar in the team and the onus will be on them to make the most of conducive conditions. Kuldeep had not played a solitary Test against England and it would be interesting if he gets a go in the final XI.

On the other hand, the West Indies will need to play out of their skins to challenge the potent Indian team. Moreover, the visitors have been pegged on the back foot as Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph have been ruled out of the series.

Head to Head: Matches: 100, Won by India: 23, Won by WI: 30, Drawn: 47.

India Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), N. Jagadeesan (wk), Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

West Indies Squad: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Roston Chase(c), Shai Hope(w), Justin Greaves, Khary Pierre, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican, Jediah Blades, Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach