India Announces Squad for 2025 West Indies Test Series Under Shubman Gill's Captaincy
MUMBAI, India – September 24, 2025 – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies, marking Shubman Gill's first home series as full-time Test captain.
The series, scheduled from October 2-14, represents India's return to home Test cricket following their recent tour of New Zealand.
Squad Composition and Key Selections
The selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, has maintained a balance of experience and youth in the squad. Veteran pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will lead the bowling attack, with management confirming his workload has been specifically managed for this series.
In a significant development, middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has voluntarily withdrawn from selection due to back stiffness and general fatigue, requesting a break from red-ball cricket. The wicketkeeping duties will be handled by Dhruv Jurel, with regular keeper Rishabh Pant still recovering from injury.
Batting Lineup and Returnees
The batting unit features promising opener Yashasvi Jaiswal alongside experienced campaigner KL Rahul. The squad sees the return of Karun Nair, who earns a recall after impressive domestic performances following injury recovery. Young left-hander B Sai Sudharsan retains his place after showing promise in previous outings.
Series Schedule and Venues
- 1st Test: October 2-6, 2025 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- 2nd Test: October 10-14, 2025 – Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
World Test Championship Context
Currently positioned third in the World Test Championship standings, India will look to improve their position in the 2025-27 cycle. The West Indies, ranked sixth, arrive with a strengthened squad featuring several experienced players making international comebacks.
The series holds particular importance for India's rebuilding process under new leadership and provides an opportunity to establish momentum in the current WTC cycle.
