India vs West Indies: Karun Nair Retention Under Review, Padikkal Pushes Case
India’s Test squad announcement for the upcoming West Indies series has been delayed, with Karun Nair likely to be retained while Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar remain strong contenders. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has opted for a break due to back issues but is expected to return to red-ball cricket in the future.
10:10 AM Sep 25, 2025 IST
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Aakash Khuman
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.
Also Read: India Vs West Indies Squad Announcement: 15-Member Team To Be Picked Today
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.
Also Read: SA vs WA One-Day Cup 2025: Squad, Match Details, and Key Updates
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