Due to a lower back ailment, West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph will not play in the forthcoming two-match Test series against India. The first game of the series, which is a part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27, is set to take place at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 2.
After Alzarri Joseph complained of discomfort, scans showed that a lower back problem that had previously been treated had degenerated. Jediah Blades, a left-arm pacer, has been selected to cover the two Test matches. Blades has already played for the West Indies in white-ball cricket and is now expected to make his red-ball debut against India. Blades is now playing against Nepal in a three-match Twenty20 International series, which Nepal leads 1-0.
Squad Update 🚨
Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming test series against India due to a lower back injury.
After complaints of discomfort, scans revealed a degeneration of the previously resolved lower back injury. pic.twitter.com/k4DfzLb0e7
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) September 29, 2025
Because of a scheduled medical operation, Jason Holder, an all-rounder for the West Indies, rejected to be considered as Alzarri Joseph substitute.
The Caribbean team had previously suffered another blow when quick bowler Shamar Joseph was also sidelined due to an unexplained injury. Johann Layne, a 22-year-old all-rounder, has been brought into the team to replace him.
In India, Shamar was supposed to lead the pace attack, but his absence made the visiting team rethink their bowling plan. He will go through more testing, according to Cricket West Indies, and should be ready for the forthcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, which begins on October 18 with three ODIs and three T20Is.
The West Indies team, meanwhile, arrived in India on Wednesday morning and will train in Ahmedabad on Saturday to start getting ready. Ahmedabad will host the first Test on October 2, while New Delhi will host the second. The visitors face difficulties as a result of these injury setbacks, but the younger players’ presence provides a chance to assess bench strength before the WTC campaign begins.
The updated West Indies team for their two-match Test series against India
Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Jediah Blades, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales, Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), and Jared Seales
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