Top-order selections, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, and captain Shubman Gill, are automatic, while Dhruv Jurel will keep wickets in Pant’s absence. The panel faces decisions on whether to include an extra batter or a batting all-rounder, alongside the bowling attack comprising spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and pacers led by Mohammed Siraj. Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for the first Test, opening space for Prasidh Krishna.
Reserves include Narayan Jagadeesan as second wicketkeeper or third opener, with Devdutt Padikkal and Shreyas Iyer vying for the extra batter slot. On the opposition side, West Indies have recalled experienced batsmen Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze, with spinner Khary Pierre included for the first time. Gudakesh Motie has been rested for upcoming white-ball commitments. Ranked eighth in Tests, the Windies face a challenging series against the fourth-ranked Indian team under new captain Shubman Gill.