India vs West Indies: Karun Nair Retention Under Review, Padikkal Pushes Case
India vs West Indies: The Indian Test squad for the two-match series against the West Indies, starting October 2 in Ahmedabad, was expected to be revealed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar during the India-Bangladesh Asia Cup clash in Dubai. However, the announcement has been postponed to Thursday at 12.30 pm IST.
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Karun Nair’s Retention
Selectors are debating whether to retain Karun Nair, with one influential member pushing for his inclusion due to his strong record against spinners in domestic cricket. Although Nair struggled in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England — scoring 205 runs at an average of 25.62 in four Tests — his experience might still work in his favour.
Padikkal in Strong Contention
Devdutt Padikkal has emerged as a serious contender for a Test call-up. He impressed with a 150 for India A against Australia A in the first four-day match but managed just one run in his latest outing in Lucknow. Padikkal could be the preferred choice if selectors decide to move on from Nair.
Suthar as Spin Option
Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar is also in the mix after taking a five-wicket haul on Tuesday. The Rajasthan bowler is being considered as a potential understudy to Ravindra Jadeja, with the thinktank keen to groom him for the future.
Shreyas Iyer’s Break
Shreyas Iyer has opted to take a short break from Test and first-class cricket due to back stiffness. The middle-order batter, who underwent surgery in April 2023, experienced discomfort during the Duleep Trophy and withdrew from India A’s second game against Australia A. While currently unavailable, Iyer has assured selectors that he will work on his fitness before making a red-ball comeback.
Impact on Domestic Cricket
Iyer’s decision could also affect Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy campaign. He had earlier requested not to be considered for the Ranji captaincy, following Ajinkya Rahane’s exit from the leadership role. Despite this break, the selectors are not closing the door on Iyer’s Test return.
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