Ahmedabad, Oct 2 (UNI) Kuldeep Yadav returned to the Playing XI of India’s Test side after more than a year as West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and elected to bat in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Narendra Modi Stadium here today.
Kuldeep, who last played a Test against New Zealand in early 2024, warmed the benches the entire tour of England earlier this year. The left-arm wrist spinner now finds himself back in the XI as India opted for a three-pronged spin attack on home soil.
Chase, after choosing to bat, said his young side wanted to put up a strong first innings score and avoid the challenge of batting last on a turning pitch. “We are going to bat first. Looks like a good one. There will be a bit of moisture; it is Test cricket, and we will have to handle that for the first couple of hours. It is a young side, we want to come out and play some good cricket. We don’t want to be batting last on this wicket as we know it will turn,” he explained.
The visitors went in with two seamers, two spinners, and an allrounder in their playing XI.
India skipper Shubman Gill said the team was well-prepared despite losing the toss. “We have got four Tests (at home) before the end of the year, and we would like to win all four. Preparation has been good. Everyone is in great touch, it is about getting into the red-ball mindset. It looks like a very good surface. Not disappointed with losing the toss, it has been under covers and there might be some help early on,” Gill said.
India fielded two fast bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj – alongside spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav, with Nitish Reddy included as an allrounder.
Teams:
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
West Indies (Playing XI): Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope(w), Roston Chase(c), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales
