Gill to lead India in Test Series against West Indies as BCCI announces 15-member squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday unveiled the squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against the West Indies, scheduled to begin on October 2 in Ahmedabad. Shubman Gill has been handed the captaincy for the series, while senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will serve as vice-captain.

The 15-member squad reflects a blend of promising youngsters and established names. Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal bolster the batting lineup, providing depth and left-right balance at the top and middle order.

Behind the stumps, Dhruv Jurel has been chosen as the first-choice wicketkeeper, with N. Jagadeesan included as backup. The spin department features the experienced Ravindra Jadeja, alongside Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, offering a versatile mix of left-arm and off-spin options.

The pace attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, giving India both control and firepower with the new ball.

The opening Test begins at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on October 2, followed by the second Test in Hyderabad from October 10. This series also counts towards the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, making it a crucial contest for India.

With Gill stepping into a leadership role for the first time in Tests, and Jadeja’s experience as deputy, the squad aims to strike a perfect balance between fresh energy and seasoned skill. Fans will be eager to see how this new-look side performs against a rebuilding West Indies team on Indian soil.