India’s 15-Player Squad for West Indies Home Tests to Be Announced on September 25

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar was supposed to announce India’s 15-player squad for the home Test series against the West Indies, but the board has postponed it. As per fresh reports, Agarkar will now reveal the squad from the team hotel on Thursday, September 25, at 12:30 PM IST.

India just played against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Super 4 match on Wednesday, September 24 and maybe the team management did not want the players to get distracted thinking about squad selection. After a short break from the Asia Cup, Team India will switch back to Test cricket mode. The memories of the England series are still fresh, but now the players will focus on the two-Test series against the West Indies, starting Thursday, October 2.

The first match of the series will be played in Ahmedabad and then the teams will move to Delhi. This will be India’s first Test series after the 2-2 draw in England for the first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Shubman Gill will lead the team this time after being vice-captain to Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is. With another series against South Africa coming up in November, this home series will be a great way for the team to get ready.

India’s Home Tests: A Make-or-Break Moment in the WTC

This home series is very important for India for two reasons. First, around this time last year, India had a bad home Test series losing 0-3 to New Zealand. Second, India needs to stay strong in the World Test Championship. Right now, India is third after Australia and Sri Lanka, even though they have played more matches. With four Tests at home, young captain Shubman Gill will want to win all games and secure India’s place in the WTC.

The 15-player squad is expected to be mostly the same as the one that played in England, with a few changes due to injuries. Rishabh Pant is ruled out, so Dhruv Jurel will keep wickets, and Narayan Jagadeesan might join as the second keeper. Jasprit Bumrah, who was doubtful, is likely to play in the two-match series against the West Indies. Devdutt Padikkal is set to return to the team and Nitish Kumar Reddy will also be included. Ravindra Jadeja, getting a break after England, will be the only experienced player left from the recent retirements of Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli.

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