After ending up the second consecutive World Test Championship cycle as runners-up, India is all set to begin the WTC Cycle 2023-25 as they take on West Indies in a two-Test match series. India and West Indies will clash against each other in the 2-Test match series, three ODIs and five T20I games. The series is all set to begin on July 12, and the first Test game will be played in Dominica.
With multiple big assignments coming up this year, India will surely try to put their best foot forward, and the performance of players in such games will decide their fate in the ODI World Cup 2023 that is slated to be hosted in India. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s squad for the upcoming tour of West Indies, and based on that, here is Sports Tiger’s probable XI for the first Test match.
Top Order:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad
The opening pair for the Indian side will be quite certain, and skipper Rohit Sharma as well as the emerging star, Shubman Gill will open the innings. Gill and Sharma opened India’s innings in the WTC Final 2023, and where the skipper scored 48 runs, Gill ended up putting 31 runs to India’s account in both innings. However, they are expected to put up a good show in the upcoming game against West Indies and provide a solid start to their side.
Also, with Cheteshwar Pujara getting dropped from the squad, Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to make his debut in the game. Gaikwad was in excellent form in the recently concluded season of the Indian Premier League, and he will be expected to be in the same form for the upcoming Test games.
#PAGE_BREAK#
Middle Order:
Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravindra Jadeja
India’s former skipper and legendary batter, Virat Kohli put up good numbers in the Indian Premier League but couldn’t make much of a difference in the WTC Final 2023. However, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja’s partnership in the first innings brought India to a steadier side, in the game dominated by the Aussies. Kohli, Rahane and Jadeja have always been India’s hope in difficult times, and they are expected to add good numbers to India’s score.
#PAGE_BREAK#
Wicket Keeper and Bowlers :
Ishan Kishan, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar
Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best bowlers in the world, and the cricketer recently regained his number 1 spot in the standings. He was benched out during the WTC Final, and needless to say, India paid a heavy price for the same. In the absence of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj will lead India’s pace bowling attack alongside Shardul Thakur and Mukesh Kumar, who is likely to play his maiden Test game against West Indies. Ishan Kishan is also expected to make his debut in the upcoming game. Kishan holds a decent record as a wicketkeeper with 25 stumpings in all games.
