Ahmedabad, Sep 23 (UNI) India’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies, starting in Ahmedabad from October two, is set to be finalised on September 24, with uncertainty surrounding the availability of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
Pant has been undergoing strength and conditioning at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and the final call on his inclusion will depend on updates from the BCCI medical team, leaving fans and selectors alike awaiting clarity.
In Pant’s potential absence, Dhruv Jurel is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties. Jurel, currently playing for India A against Australia A in Lucknow, kept in the final two Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England. N Jagadeesan could serve as a backup if selectors opt for a second specialist keeper.
The selectors are also considering Nitish Kumar Reddy and Devdutt Padikkal for the series. Padikkal, who scored 150 for India A in the first four-day game against Australia A, has featured in two Tests, including the Perth Test against Australia last year.
Reddy, with seven Tests to his credit, was expected to return from a knee injury but did not make the XI in the first four-day game. Both players are part of the squad for the second four-day game starting Tuesday.
The India-West Indies Tests form part of the World Test Championship (WTC). India are currently third in the WTC table after drawing the five-match series in England 2-2, while West Indies are sixth, having lost all three of their WTC games to date.
India are scheduled to play a white-ball series in Australia from October 19, following the West Indies Tests.
