Team India skipper Shubman Gill remained tight-lipped about the playing XI for the opening Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, starting on October 2. However, he admitted that India might opt for a third seamer depending on the first look at the Ahmedabad pitch and conditions.
India‘s 15-member squad for the two-Test series against the West Indies includes four spin options in Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. The squad has just three specialist pacers—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna—with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy serving as another seaming option.
When asked about the combination for the series opener in the press conference, Gill said (via TOI X handle):
“We will decide on our playing XI tomorrow. Given the weather conditions and the pitch, we might be tempted to play a third seamer. I’ve mostly played T20 cricket at this venue. Pitches for Test cricket are different.”
Gill acknowledged the difficulties players face due to the quick transition from the recently concluded Asia Cup to the West Indies series.
“It’s a quick turnaround for this Test. I was looking to get in the zone. Switching format is more of a mental thing. From a mental adjustment point of view, switching from T20 to Test cricket is probably the hardest. I will take it week by week. I am not looking too far ahead. For batters, it’s more mental fatigue than physical – unlike bowlers. Right now, I am fresh,” he said.
“Jasprit Bumrah’s Workload Isn’t Pre-Decided”- Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill mentioned that top pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s involvement in the upcoming West Indies series will be determined on a match-by-match basis. Bumrah featured in just three of the five Tests during India’s recent series in England, as part of workload management efforts.
“Regarding Bumrah’s workload management, nothing is pre-decided. We will assess on a match-to-match basis – how many days the Test lasts, how our fast bowlers feel,” said Gill (via the aforementioned source).
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