The Indian cricket team is currently in the West Indies for their series in the Caribbean, which is set to begin with a Test match on July 12.
Ahead of the first Test at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, the Indian players had a practice session in Barbados, where they received assistance from local players.
Before leaving Barbados, the Indian team made sure to express their gratitude and provide something special for the local players and fans.
During their time in Barbados, the Indian players engaged with the local players and fans, signing autographs and taking selfies.
In a heartwarming gesture, Mohammed Siraj stood out by gifting a bat and shoes to the local players
Kind gestures 👌
Autographs ✍️
Selfies 🤳
Dressing room meets 🤝#TeamIndia make it special for the local players and fans in Barbados 🤗 #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/TaWmeqrNS6— BCCI (@BCCI) July 7, 2023
The camaraderie displayed between the Indian and Barbadian players showcased the spirit of cricket and the appreciation for the support received.
However, amidst the positive atmosphere, there has been discussion and divided opinions over the exclusion of Cheteshwar Pujara from the two-match Test series against West Indies.
Pujara, a veteran batter, has faced scrutiny after a below-par performance in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.
This has led to young talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad earning their maiden call-ups to the team.
Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian team is eager to kickstart their World Test Championship 2023-2025 campaign on a strong note.
Having secured victories in their last four Test series on West Indies soil, India aims to maintain their winning streak in the upcoming series as well.
The history between the two teams spans 98 Tests, with West Indies claiming victory in 30 matches, India winning 22 matches, and 46 matches ending in a draw.
In their tours of the West Indies, India has played 51 Tests, winning 9, losing 16, and drawing 26 matches. Notably, the West Indies last won a Test series against India in 2002.
With a blend of experienced and young talents, India’s Test squad for the series features Rohit Sharma as captain, accompanied by players like Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Ajinkya Rahane as vice-captain, KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan as wicket-keepers, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, and Navdeep Saini.
The anticipation is high as cricket fans eagerly await the captivating contest between India and West Indies, with both teams striving to make their mark in the series.
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