India Squad Announcement Live Updates: Is Jurel Likely To Replace Pant? Suprise Spinner Could Make Entry

Last year, New Zealand stunned India with a 3-0 clean sweep in a three-match Test series. Now, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy is drawing inspiration from that achievement as his side prepares to face India in their own backyard.

“From my end, the ten days leading up to the (1st) Test match, we’ll be drilling in all these things and planning very well as to how we’re going to beat India in India. We’re definitely going down there with the mindset to win. We’re not just going to go down there and think, “oh, it’s India”. No! New Zealand went there and did incredibly well and that we should take inspiration from. But again, it’s understanding the things that New Zealand did in those conditions and try to emulate it with our guys as well,” Sammy said.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will address a press conference from Dubai on Wednesday, September 24.

While the timing is yet to be finalised, the announcement itself has been confirmed.

KL Rahul (11 off 24), Devdutt Padikkal (1 off 11), and Dhruv Jurel (1 off 3) all fell cheaply against Australia A in the second unofficial Test, handing India A a shaky start in Lucknow.

This raises concerns especially for Jurel who is most likely to replace injured Rishabh Pant for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.

According to Ryan ten Doeschate, Jasprit Bumrah is set to continue through the Asia Cup Super 4s, with his current workload seen as perfect preparation for the upcoming home Test series against West Indies.

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has caught the selectors’ attention with a standout five-wicket haul (5/107) in the ongoing 2nd Unofficial Test between India A and Australia A in Lucknow.

The 23-year-old Rajasthan bowler, with 95 wickets in 23 first-class matches, could be in line for his maiden Test call-up.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has created history in youth ODI cricket for India, smashing the record for most sixes with 41*, overtaking Unmukt Chand’s previous mark of 38.

He struck 70 off 68 balls with six maximums in his innings during the IND U19 vs AUS U19 second Youth ODI.

Catch all details from the match here.

Karun Nair, now fit again, is back in contention for India’s Test squad against the West Indies.

However, his inclusion could spark debate within the Ajit Agarkar-led panel and is unlikely according to reports.

His main competition for a batting slot is Dedvdutt Padikkal and Nitish Reddy, who is also returning from injury but missed the second unofficial Test.

Shreyas Iyer has informed the BCCI that he will be taking a break from red-ball cricket owing to back stiffness and fatigue.

As a result, he has also withdrawn from his India A commitments.

The West Indies have brought back Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze to reinforce their batting, while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre has earned his maiden Test call-up.

Head coach Daren Sammy highlighted Pierre’s role as the second spinner, with Gudakesh Motie rested ahead of the T20 World Cup.

West Indies have already named their squad for the two-Test series. The team will be led by Roston Chase with Jomel Warrican as his deputy.

The full squad includes Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, and Jayden Seales.

The current selection panel remains unchanged with Ajit Agarkar as Chairperson, alongside Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra, and Sridharan Sharath.

India vs West Indies 1st Test: October 2-6 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

India vs West Indies 2nd Test: October 10-14 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi

India are set to unveil their squad for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies.

This will be their first home red-ball assignment since the 2-0 defeat to New Zealand, and with Shubman Gill taking charge as the new captain, the team will be eager to begin this fresh chapter on a positive note and climb up the World Test Championship standings.