India’s upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, set to begin on October 2, 2025, will see the team facing a major setback with the absence of their star wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant. The explosive keeper-batter, who has been pivotal for India in recent years, suffered a fractured foot during India’s 2-2 draw in England. This injury has ruled him out of the final Test at The Oval and the forthcoming series against the West Indies.
India Set to Announce 15-Member Squad for West Indies Test Series
As the series against the West Indies draws nearer, India is expected to announce a 15-member squad on September 24. This squad will be pivotal for India as they aim to maintain their strong position in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, where they are currently placed third. While India last played a home Test series against New Zealand, which they lost 0-3, this time they are hoping to seal a dominant series win, particularly against a relatively weaker West Indies team.
With Rishabh Pant out, India will need to rely on their backup options for the wicketkeeping role. It is expected that Narayan Jagadeesan will step in as the backup keeper, supporting Dhruv Jurel, who has already made a name for himself as a solid candidate for India’s next-generation wicketkeeper. Jurel’s impressive performances in his short stint have made him a strong contender for regular inclusion in the Indian Test team.
Key Player Returns: Nitish Kumar Reddy and Devdutt Padikkal to Rejoin Squad
In addition to the wicketkeeping changes, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Devdutt Padikkal are both set to make their return to the Indian Test squad for this series. Padikkal, in particular, has been in outstanding form, notably scoring a superb 150 against Australia A in Lucknow. His consistent performances over the past few weeks have made him a strong candidate for a spot in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Reddy will be looking to make his mark and reclaim his position in the Indian playing XI, especially after missing out on previous selections.
India will be keen to make the most of this series, which offers an opportunity to reinforce their dominance at home and take a step closer to securing a spot in the WTC final. With a blend of experience and youthful promise, the squad looks to deliver a comprehensive series win against a depleted West Indies side.
