IND vs WI 2025 Test: Devdutt Padikkal Snatches Karun Nair’s Spot

Reports trailing the announcement of India’s Test squad vs West Indies suggested the exclusion of Karun Nair for Devdutt Padikkal. These reports are now confirmed following India’s announcement of their full Test lineup on September 25, 2025.

Nair will play no part in the October 2025 Test, while Padikkal makes a sensational return after nearly 12 months away from red-ball cricket.  

BCCI Chief Selector Berates Karun Nair as He is Left Out of Test Squad vs WI

Ajit Agarkar (BCCI Chief Selector) suggested that Karun Nair’s poor performance in England was the sole reason behind his exclusion from India’s lineup vs West Indies. He had this to say concerning leaving out Nair in favour of Padikkal at home:

“We expected more from Karun. Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point. Wish we could give everyone 15-20 Tests, unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Padikkal was in the Test squad in Australia, played against England in Dharamsala, got a fifty there. He’s shown some decent form. Frankly, we expected a bit more from Karun,” Mr. Agarkar said.

Jasprit Bumrah to Play in Both Tests vs Windies – Ajit Agatkar Confirms

Team India offered workload management to electrifying pacer Jasprit Bumrah when the side faced England earlier this year. However, the BCCI selection committee confirms that Jasprit will be available for every match during the Windies tie:

“This team has been picked for both the Tests, so he’s available for both Tests. We’ve had a fair break after England. He didn’t play the fifth Test [vs England] either. So there’s been a five-week break. Even this tournament [ongoing Asia Cup 2025] has been fairly spaced out till the last week. So no, he’s ready and keen to play both Test matches,” the chief selector confirmed to reporters.

Team India Squad vs W/Indies Springs No Surprises Ahead of 2-Series Test

Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant are currently experiencing fitness issues and will not recover for the WI Test in time. Selectors have gone ahead with other players in their positions as India hosts a tough Test series after their hard-fought 2–2 draw against England earlier this year. Check out the full squad vs West Indies as released by the BCCI on September 25, 2025:

W/Indies Coach Aims to Claim Victory on Tour, Set to Emulate NZ Approach vs India

The Windies seem confident of springing an upset while touring India. Windies head coach Darren Sammy had this to say regarding his team’s chances:

“From my end, the ten days leading up to the (1st) Test match, we’ll be drilling in all these things and planning very well as to how we’re going to beat India in India. We’re definitely going down there with the mindset to win. We’re not just going to go down there and think, “oh, it’s India”. No!”

Team India struggled against New Zealand at home last year, and coach Sammy aims to bank on that experience to defeat the hosts:

“New Zealand went there and did incredibly well and that we should take inspiration from. But again, it’s understanding the things that New Zealand did in those conditions and try to emulate it with our guys as well,” coach Sammy added.

India vs West Indies 2025 Test Series Schedule

Team India must secure maximum points during the home Test vs Windies to boost their current World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. Australia and Sri Lanka currently lead the WTC rankings while India place third after an underwhelming string of results in recent Tests.

Shubman Gill and co. will look to overpower the visitors and improve India’s chances of reaching the next WTC final in 2027.