India aim to reclaim red-ball superiority against visiting West Indies

The Indian cricket team are all set for a return to the Test scene as Shubman Gill’s men host West Indies for the first Test beginning on October 2nd in Ahmedabad. The upcoming home series brings with it a few scars obtained from a 0-3 shock loss to New Zealand, but for this young unit that gave England a run for their money on their soil, the two-Test affair provides an opportunity to reaffirm their status as a force to reckon with.

While Rishabh Pant’s absence and his penchant for run-scoring is the only area of concern for India, the rest of the squad presents a variety of options that will double up as a selection dilemma for Shubman and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

India’s spin unit will be led by Ravindra Jadeja, who has been named as the vice-captain of the side, and the star all-rounder will, in all likelihood, have two among the trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for company.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the side with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna rounding up the pace battery, and it remains to be seen if the former is named in the playing XI or is given rest owing to workload management. If Bumrah does not feature in the XI, it could open up an opportunity for the returning Nitish Kumar Reddy to take up a slot as India’s pace-bowling all-rounder.

All eyes will yet again be on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive batting at the top, with the rock solid composure of KL Rahul at the other end. Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel - who will take up the gloves in Pant’s absence - are expected to round out the batting, with Devdutt Padikkal and N Jagadeesan also in the squad as options.

However, while the hosts have an embarrassment of riches to pick from, West Indies arrive under duress. Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, two of their strike bowlers, will not be available for selection. On tracks that will assist spin, a lot rests on the shoulders of captain Roston Chase and newly appointed vice-captain Jomel Warrican with a majority of West Indies’ batting unit set to face a baptism by fire on tracks that will only be alien to them.

Venue Watch:

The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to have a touch of green, offering lateral movement early before flattening out for batters. Toss will carry weight, especially if moisture or cloud cover lingers. Over the course of the match, spinners are likely to assert influence later on, testing the depth of both middle orders.

Weather remains a slight X-factor and occasional showers are possible too.

Squads:

India: 

Shubman Gill (C). Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel(w), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N Jagadeesan.

West Indies: 

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