Barely 4 days after an Asia Cup marked by geopolitical theatre, provocative actions and distasteful feedback ended, India will play the first of two Tests towards West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium right here from Thursday.
Incidentally, the match will start on the 156th delivery anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, one in every of world’s foremost peace retailers, and in the neighborhood of the Sabarmati Ashram, which stands as testimony to many a Gandhian superb. A sport performed in line with the spirit of cricket — and of all sport — would thus be a welcome change.
It ought to assist that gamers will take the area in pristine white, a color synonymous with tranquility and concord. And in cricketing phrases, the West Indies has been waving the white flag towards India for a big time now, having misplaced the earlier 9 collection.
West Indies ‘s Tagenaraine Changerpaul throughout a nets session forward of the 1st Test match towards India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
It final beat India in a Test again in May 2002 in Kingston, Jamaica, and hasn’t received a five-day affair in India since Mohali, 1994. In July, Roston Chase’s males have been additionally crushed 3-0 at house by Australia, which included a 27-run innings, the second-lowest rating in historical past.
As a number, India has lengthy been insurmountable, however final yr’s chastening 0-3 reverse to New Zealand – the first collection loss in over a decade — precipitated an enormous dent. But the well-earned 2-2 draw away in England this summer time ought to maintain Shubman Gill & Co. in good stead.
India’s Prasidh Krishna throughout the nets session forward of the 1st Test towards West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
The squad seems to be acquainted to the one which travelled to the Old Blighty, with the notable exceptions being southpaw Devdutt Padikkal changing Karun Nair and Dhruv Jurel deputising as wicketkeeper for the still-injured Rishabh Pant.
That India means enterprise is obvious from the proven fact that Jasprit Bumrah — whose time in Tests is rationed — is in the squad. The 4 spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar ought to be a handful.
India’s Devdutt Padikkal at a coaching session forward of the 1st Test towards West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
The Windies, in distinction, have misplaced key quick bowlers in Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph to accidents, and the onus will be on right-armer Jayden Seales. The two left-arm spinners in Jomel Warrican and the yet-to-debut Khary Pierre will nevertheless be keenly watched. In truth, India’s follow on Tuesday had a good sprinkling of left-arm spinners amongst internet bowlers.
Leading into the Test, Ahmedabad has been humid, with occasional spells of rain. Two days from the match, the wicket sported a inexperienced look and the follow pitches adjoining to the stadium additionally appeared lively.
Whether situations finally assist spin or tempo, West Indies’ foremost problem will be to keep aggressive for prolonged durations, particularly at a time when there may be discuss of a two-tiered Test construction and the Caribbeans being relegated to the backside one. If they will, it will be a narrative befitting the nation’s wealthy cricketing historical past.
The groups (from): India: Shubman Gill (Capt.), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ok.L. Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N. Jagadeesan (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.
West Indies: Roston Chase (Capt.), Jomel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (wk), Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Jediah Blades, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre and Jayden Seales.
Match begins at 9.30 a.m. IST (Thursday).
Published – September 30, 2025 09:02 pm IST