IND v WI: Huge blow for West Indies! Shamar Joseph to miss India tests due to injury, replacement named

Shamar Joseph has turned into a key player for the West Indies with the ball in the last few years.

The West Indies team received a huge blow as their ace pacer, Shamar Joseph, has been ruled out of the upcoming two-test India series. The teams will play two games, with the first test to be played in Ahmedabad from October 2.

The second test will be played in Delhi from October 10. India have comprehensively dominated their test rivalry with the West Indies over the last few decades, and they will start the next series as clear favourites. India have also not lost a test match against the West Indies at home since the 1994/95 season and will look to extend their unbeaten run.

The Caribbean team’s last victory over India in the longest version of the game came in 2002, when they won the five-match series at home by a margin of 2-1. Since then, India have won nine consecutive test series against the West Indies without losing a single match.

Shamar Joseph injured, to miss India Tests; Johann Layne named replacement

A Cricket West Indies tweet confirmed that Shamar Joseph has been ruled out and will be re-evaluated prior to the white-ball tour of Bangladesh, but did not specify the source of the ailment. Joseph has played 11 tests, taking 51 wickets at an average of 21.66, and began his test career with a five-for on debut against Australia in January 2024.

After the tests in India conclude on October 14, the West Indies will play three One-Day Internationals in Bangladesh beginning October 18, followed by three Twenty20 Internationals from October 27 to November 1.

The West Indies have a busy touring season ahead of them, with an all-format visit to New Zealand consisting of five T20Is, three ODIs, and three tests. They are currently in the UAE for three T20Is against Nepal, beginning September 27.

Johann Layne has played 19 First-Class (FC) matches, taking 66 wickets at an average of 22.28 and scoring 495 runs at 19.03. He has four five-wicket hauls and three four-fors in 34 innings of red-ball cricket.

Layne had a lot more success for the West Indies Academy in the previous local first-class campaign, finishing with six wickets against the Windward Islands. Layne took 27 wickets in six matches at the tournament, averaging 15.88, including two five-fors and two four-fors.

Updated West Indies squad for India test series

Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

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