Youth and Firepower: India and West Indies Announce Test Squads for Home Series 🏏
The stage is set for a thrilling red-ball contest as the Indian Cricket Team prepares to host the West Indies for a two-match Test series starting on October 2, 2025. The series promises to be a fascinating clash, with both sides injecting fresh blood and youthful enthusiasm into their squads.
The BCCI and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have officially announced their 15-member squads, revealing a clear focus on the future while retaining crucial experience.
India’s Squad: New Leadership and Fresh Faces
The Indian squad, announced by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, signals a definitive transition, with Shubman Gill continuing his journey as the new Test Captain in his first home assignment. Seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been appointed the Vice-Captain.
| Role | Player | Key Takeaways |
| Captain | Shubman Gill | Leads India in his first home Test series as captain. |
| Vice-Captain | Ravindra Jadeja | Brings immense experience and all-round solidity to the leadership group. |
| Batters | Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal | Devdutt Padikkal is recalled following impressive domestic and India A form, replacing Karun Nair, who was dropped after an underwhelming return in the England series. |
| Wicket-keepers | Dhruv Jurel, N. Jagadeesan | Dhruv Jurel remains the first-choice gloveman in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant, with N. Jagadeesan providing backup. |
| All-rounders/Spinners | Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav | Nitish Kumar Reddy is a notable inclusion, with selectors showing faith in the young all-rounder’s potential. |
| Pace Bowlers | Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna | Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the squad, despite earlier workload concerns, to spearhead the pace attack alongside the in-form Mohammed Siraj. |
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The inclusion of young talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal (who already has a Test century against the Windies) and Dhruv Jurel (who impressed in the recent England series) highlights the confidence in India’s next generation. The decision to drop Karun Nair, who struggled to convert starts into big scores in the recent overseas tour, underscores the selectors’ high performance expectations.
West Indies Squad: Rebuilding Under New Leadership
The West Indies, aiming for their first Test series win on Indian soil in 42 years, come with a squad looking to bounce back from a tough recent period. The side will be led by Roston Chase, with a few significant changes from their recent outings.
| Role | Player | Key Takeaways |
| Captain | Roston Chase | Continues as the captain, providing an experienced all-round option. |
| Vice-Captain | Jomel Warrican | The spinner is named as the vice-captain. |
| Batters | Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Brandon King | Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze have been recalled, while former captain Kraigg Brathwaite has been dropped, signaling a shift in the opening partnership. |
| Wicket-keeper | Tevin Imlach | The main wicket-keeping option for the series. |
| Pace Bowlers | Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales | Features a potent young pace attack, with Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales providing the main firepower. |
| Spinner | Khary Pierre | Provides an additional spin option alongside the vice-captain. |
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The Windies selection committee has opted for a mix of solid middle-order stability in Shai Hope and Roston Chase, banking on the fiery pace battery led by the two Josephs to challenge the Indian batters on what are typically spin-friendly pitches.
Series Schedule
The two-match series is part of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and will be contested at two of India’s major cricket hubs.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
| 1st Test | October 2-6, 2025 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 9:30 AM |
| 2nd Test | October 10-14, 2025 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 9:30 AM |
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The battle for WTC points starts in Ahmedabad, providing both teams with a chance to make an early statement in the championship race. With debutantes, recalls, and new captains, this series promises to be an intriguing examination of skill, strategy, and mental fortitude.