• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

India vs West Indies 1st Test: Indian skipper Shubman Gill avoided revealing things when it comes to the team combination for the two-match Test series against the West Indies, which begins on Thursday.

India and the West Indies will face off at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from October 2 to 6. Gill hinted that India was tempted to begin the first game with three pacers, suggesting both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj could start, but said that nothing after that was ‘pre-decided’.

"Nothing is pre-decided," Gill said at the pre-series press conference on Wednesday. “We will take a call once the Test match is over and (after assessing) how our fast bowlers feel and how their bodies feel after the match," he added.

ALSO READ: When And Where To Watch IND vs WI 1st Test LIVE Streaming In Your Country

All focus will be on whether Bumrah will be playing both matches of the series amid the ongoing talks regarding his workload management. The team management had planned to play Bumrah only in three of the five Tests months before the England tour began, and it was strictly followed as the senior pacer was not fielded in the fifth match despite the series being on the line. Siraj, on the other hand, was the only pacer across the two teams to play all Tests.

ALSO READ: Mohsin Naqvi Hands Over Asia Cup Trophy To UAE Cricket Board Amid Looming 'Impeachment' Threat

Gill went on to say that India have a packed schedule ahead of them, with a tour of Australia and a home series against South Africa to follow, India will make workload calls on a match-by-match basis depending on how long the games last.

"You’ll know our playing XI tomorrow," Gill said. "Yes, looking at the conditions, we might be tempted to go with a third seamer. But there’s still time. In the morning, we’ll see how much moisture is in the wicket and then take a call," he added.

It was expected that Bumrah might be rested for the West Indies series, especially after he was named in India's Asia Cup 2025 squad. The right-arm pacer played five matches in the continental tournament and took 7 wickets, helping the side win their ninth title.