The 15-man West Indies squad for the forthcoming Test series in India does not include former captain Kraigg Brathwaite.
A batting unit chosen for its spin-handling ability has been strengthened by the selectors’ reinstatement of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze.
Along with Keacy Carty, Johann Layne, and Mikyle Louis, Brathwaite is out after losing his spot in the starting lineup during the final Test match against Australia earlier this year. Khary Pierre, a left-arm spinner who has not yet made his Test debut, is also included in the team. As the second specialist spinner, Pierre joins vice-captain Jomel Warrican, who has taken 41 wickets at a remarkable average of 13.56 in the West Indies Championship.
Given our recent troubles, Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s return is expected to help turn the tide at the top of the order. Alick Athanaze was selected because of his abilities against spin bowling. According to ESPNcricinfo, head coach Daren Sammy stated, “Kharry is included for the first time as our second spinner in what we expect to be helpful conditions.”
Chanderpaul, who last played Test cricket during the 2024 tour of Australia, is anticipated to partner John Campbell at the top of the order, while Athanaze last played red-ball cricket on the subcontinent against Pakistan in January. Kevlon Anderson maintains his spot in the team with a solid first-class average of 42.05.
Brandon King, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Justin Greaves, and skipper Roston Chase are also in the batting group. Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, and Jayden Seales will lead the pace attack, while Warrican, Pierre, and Chase will lead the spin department.
With the first Test starting on October 2, the team is expected to arrive in Ahmedabad on September 24 after leaving the Caribbean on September 22. The only four players from the team that last visited India in 2018–19 are Chase, Hope, Alzarri, and Warrican.
Gudakesh Motie, a left-arm spinner, has been rested due to his upcoming hectic schedule. Later this month, the West Indies will play two Test matches in India after three Twenty20 Internationals against Nepal. After a white-ball series in Bangladesh in October and November, they end the year with an all-format tour of New Zealand from November 5 to December 22, which includes three ODIs, three Tests, and five Twenty20 Internationals.
India Tests: West Indies Test Team
Roston Chase (Captain), Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales, Tagesarine Chanderpaul, Khary Pierre, Jomel Warrican, John Campbell, Kevlon Anderson, and Alick Athanaze
India
