India's probable playing XI for first test vs West Indies

This will be India's first assignment in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.

After being heavily defeated by Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the Indian cricket team will now be touring the Caribbean islands. The tour will consist of two Test matches, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 5 T20 Internationals (T20Is). The series holds significant importance as each victory will enable the Indian team to earn points and make their mark on the World Test Championship (WTC) table for the 2023-2025 cycle.

The recent announcement of the Test team for the Windies tour by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) included both new and experienced players. Some fresh faces might get the chance to be part of the team's playing XI during the competition. If they do get the opportunity, they will aim to perform at their best and become important members of the squad.

The squad comes with some tough chances as two of India’s key players who played the last WTC final, Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav aren’t a part of the squad. In addition, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah are still recovering from their respective injuries, thus this gives an opportunity for the young guns to cement their place in the squad. 

India’s predicted Test XI for the West Indies tour

1. Rohit Sharma

Following the significant defeat against Australia in the 2023 WTC final, Indian captain Rohit Sharma will seek to start afresh. In the crucial match, Rohit struggled to make substantial contributions, scoring only 15 and 43 runs. Faced with harsh criticism, he aims to regain his form and confidence by performing well in the upcoming series, particularly with the bat.

Rohit Sharma will aim to play aggressively in the Caribbean and lead the team to a big victory against the hosts, who are seen as underdogs in their home conditions.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal is poised to make a strong debut as an opening batsman. The left-hander has displayed outstanding performance, accumulating an impressive tally of 1845 runs, including nine centuries and two fifties, in 26 innings across 15 first-class games. With his remarkable consistency and overall numbers, the team management has placed their trust in him, giving him the opportunity to represent the national team in Test cricket against the Caribbean side. Moreover, Jaiswal's exceptional form was evident in the IPL 2023, further adding to his credentials and making him an exciting prospect for the upcoming matches.

3. Shubman Gill

One of the crucial decisions facing Team India is finding a suitable replacement for Cheteshwar Pujara. An option being considered is to include Shubman Gill as the number 3 batsman and groom him for the number 4 position once Virat Kohli retires. Gill has shown immense potential in Test matches for the Indian team in recent years. However, he faced criticism for his performance in the WTC final at the Oval in 2023. Despite the setback, the young talent is determined to begin India's WTC 2023-25 campaign on a positive note. So far, in his Test career, the 23-year-old has accumulated 921 runs, including two centuries and four fifties, in 30 innings across 16 Tests.

4. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is currently facing a challenging phase in his Test cricket career. Critics are pressuring him to step down after his disappointing performance in the WTC final against Australia in 2023. The call for a complete overhaul of India's test squad has given his detractors an opportunity to demand his removal from the team.

Nevertheless, Kohli has proven time and again that he thrives under pressure. He is determined to respond to his critics with his exceptional batting skills. In the upcoming series in the Caribbean islands, he will strive to dominate the Windies bowling attack and deliver impressive performances for his team. This year, Kohli scored a Test century after a gap of three years, highlighting his resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks.

5. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback to India's Test squad after a year and a half in the WTC final 2023. He emerged as the highest run-scorer against Australia in the ICC WTC final and was selected for the West Indies tour, reclaiming the vice-captaincy. Although criticized for his appointment, Rahane aims to prove the board and team management right with his experience and performance. In the WTC final, he scored 89 and 46 runs, displaying courage. Now, Rahane must continue his form and contribute to a successful series against West Indies.

6. Ishan Kishan (Wk)

In the upcoming series against West Indies, Ishan Kishan is expected to make his debut. Although he was part of the WTC 2023 final squad, KS Bharat was chosen as the wicket-keeper for that match. However, both Kishan and Bharat have been selected for the upcoming series, and it is anticipated that Kishan will be given the opportunity due to Bharat's underwhelming batting performance in the WTC final. With Rishabh Pant still recovering, this presents a great chance for Kishan to shine. Known for his aggressive style of play, Kishan's inclusion could provide India with a valuable asset in terms of scoring quickly.

7. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has been included in India's squad for the series against the West Indies. However, in the WTC final 2023 at the Oval, London, he did not feature in India's playing XI, which did not sit well with Indian team supporters who believed his experience and talent could have been valuable to the side.

Ashwin showcased his prowess in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23, taking 25 wickets in four Tests, earning him the title of the highest wicket-taker in the series. The 36-year-old spinner will be eager to strengthen India's spin attack during the tour of the West Indies, alongside Ravindra Jadeja.

8. Ravindra Jadeja

The Indian team will rely on the dependable all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to deliver a dominant performance against the West Indies and contribute significantly towards securing the series victory. Jadeja made a remarkable comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23, where he picked up 22 wickets in four Tests, placing him as the joint-second leading wicket-taker in the series alongside Nathan Lyon.

However, Jadeja couldn't meet the expectations in the WTC final. Nevertheless, the team will have high hopes for him to bounce back and showcase his all-round prowess in the upcoming series against the West Indies.

9. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has been chosen for the Test series against the West Indies. In the WTC final 2023, Thakur showcased his batting prowess by scoring a half-century in the first innings. However, his bowling performance was relatively underwhelming, as he managed to take only two wickets in the match.

However, Thakur has a history of delivering outstanding all-round performances, as seen in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy where he played a crucial role in India's series victory, especially in the fourth Test at the Gabba in Australia.Considering his past achievements, the Indian team will have high hopes for Thakur to replicate a similar performance in the upcoming series.

10. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj has been chosen to lead India's pace attack in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, captained by Kraigg Brathwaite. His outstanding performance in the WTC 2023 final, where he emerged as the team's top wicket-taker with five dismissals against Australia, showcased his abilities. Additionally, Siraj's impressive four-wicket haul in the first innings further highlighted his skill. With Shami resting for the series, Siraj will take on a greater responsibility in the absence of his senior teammate. While Siraj's recent performances have been commendable, there are still areas he can work on to better meet the team's needs.

11. Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh Kumar, a talented fast bowler from Bengal, has earned a call-up to the Indian Test team for the West Indies tour. His impressive performances in domestic cricket, especially with the red ball, make him a valuable asset. With an outstanding record of 149 wickets in just 39 first-class matches and the ability to handle pressure, Mukesh has proven himself as a promising prospect. With experienced bowlers like Shami and Umesh absent, Mukesh has the opportunity to make a significant impact. Considering India's future planning and the need for a swing bowler, giving Mukesh a chance to debut in the West Indies would be a strategic move for the team's new-ball attack.