India vs West Indies 1st Test Predicted Playing 11 Teams: IND vs WI squads, key players picked by captains Shubman Gill and Roston Chase
India is set to face the West Indies in the opening game of the two-Test series. This article shares information about India's predicted playing XI for the first match.
Indian Cricket Team. (PIC - X)
India will aim to begin their home season on a strong note with a two-Test series against the West Indies. The selectors have chosen to keep most of the same players from the squad that faced England and ended the series in a draw, thanks to a remarkable last-day victory.
Who might open for Team India?
The batters will remember what happened the last time they played a Test series in India and will be eager to perform well right from the start against the West Indies.
India is likely to begin their innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, a pair that has done fairly well together in the past, and they'll look to continue that form in the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Rahul recently did well in the longer-format games against Australia A and will aim to keep that momentum going into the Test match. Meanwhile, Yashasvi will try to build on his already impressive record in home Test matches.
What might be the middle order of Team India?
After the openers, the middle order will have a tough job, especially with the pitch expected to help spin bowlers, something that caused problems during the last home Test series against New Zealand.
Much of the responsibility will fall on experienced players like Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja to score key runs and steady the innings.
They'll be looking for solid contributions from youngsters such as Sai Sudharsan, who is likely to bat at number three, and Dhruv Jurel, expected to take over wicketkeeping duties with Rishabh Pant unavailable.
All-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel will strengthen the lower order and add valuable depth to the batting lineup.
Who might be in the bowling department?
When it comes to bowling, India is likely to rely heavily on spin, with up to four spinners expected to be part of the playing XI for the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The spinners likely to be picked for the opening game are Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. If Kuldeep is included in the final XI, it will mark his return to the Test side after a long break, as he didn't play in any of the five Tests against England.
The pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. This will be Siraj's first international appearance since his standout performances in the England series.
What are the squads?
India Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), N Jagadeesan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel(w), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy
West Indies Squad: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Roston Chase(c), Shai Hope(w), Justin Greaves, Khary Pierre, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican, Jediah Blades, Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach
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