By Admin 
Barely four days after an Asia Cup marked by geopolitical theatre, provocative actions and distasteful comments ended, India will play the first of two Tests against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium here from Thursday.
Incidentally, the match will commence on the 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, one of world’s foremost peace merchants, and in the vicinity of the Sabarmati Ashram, which stands as testimony to many a Gandhian ideal. A game played in line with the spirit of cricket — and of all sport — would thus be a welcome change.
It should help that players will take the field in pristine white, a colour synonymous with tranquility and harmony. And in cricketing terms, the West Indies has been waving the white flag against India for a significant time now, having lost the previous nine series.
West Indies ‘s Tagenaraine Changerpaul during a nets session ahead of the 1st Test match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
It last beat India in a Test back in May 2002 in Kingston, Jamaica, and hasn’t won a five-day affair in India since Mohali, 1994. In July, Roston Chase’s men were also beaten 3-0 at home by Australia, which included a 27-run innings, the second-lowest score in history.
As a host, India has long been insurmountable, but last year’s chastening 0-3 reverse to New Zealand – the first series loss in over a decade — caused a big dent. But the well-earned 2-2 draw away in England this summer should hold Shubman Gill & Co. in good stead.
India’s Prasidh Krishna during the nets session ahead of the 1st Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
The squad looks familiar to the one that travelled to the Old Blighty, with the notable exceptions being southpaw Devdutt Padikkal replacing Karun Nair and Dhruv Jurel deputising as wicketkeeper for the still-injured Rishabh Pant.
That India means business is evident from the fact that Jasprit Bumrah — whose time in Tests is rationed — is in the squad. The four spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar should be a handful.
India’s Devdutt Padikkal at a training session ahead of the 1st Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
The Windies, in contrast, have lost key fast bowlers in Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph to injuries, and the onus will be on right-armer Jayden Seales. The two left-arm spinners in Jomel Warrican and the yet-to-debut Khary Pierre will however be keenly watched. In fact, India’s practice on Tuesday had a fair sprinkling of left-arm spinners among net bowlers.
Leading into the Test, Ahmedabad has been humid, with occasional spells of rain. Two days from the match, the wicket sported a green look and the practice pitches adjacent to the stadium also seemed full of life.
Whether conditions eventually support spin or pace, West Indies’ foremost challenge will be to stay competitive for lengthy periods, especially at a time when there is talk of a two-tiered Test structure and the Caribbeans being relegated to the bottom one. If they can, it will be a story befitting the country’s rich cricketing history.
The teams (from): India: Shubman Gill (Capt.), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.L. Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N. Jagadeesan (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.
West Indies: Roston Chase (Capt.), Jomel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (wk), Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Jediah Blades, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre and Jayden Seales.
Match starts at 9.30 a.m. IST (Thursday).