🇮🇳 India Announce Squad for West Indies Tests: Ravindra Jadeja Named Vice-Captain in Red-Ball Cricket
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against West Indies starting October 2, 2025. The big headline from the selection meeting is the appointment of Ravindra Jadeja as vice-captain in Test cricket for the first time.
Jadeja, who has previously served as deputy in ODIs and T20Is, will now extend his leadership responsibilities to the red-ball format, a move that reflects his stature as one of India’s most reliable all-rounders across conditions.
This announcement comes at a crucial time, as India continue their 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, looking to bounce back strongly after a 2-2 draw in England earlier this year.
📢 Key Highlights of India’s Test Squad vs West Indies
- Shubman Gill continues as captain in his second Test series.
- Ravindra Jadeja named vice-captain for the first time in red-ball cricket.
- Rishabh Pant misses out due to injury.
- Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan picked as specialist wicketkeepers.
- Exits: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, Shardul Thakur, and Pant.
- Returns: Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal, N Jagadeesan.
- Pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.
- India currently sit third on the WTC table with 46.67 points.
🏏 Ravindra Jadeja: India’s New Vice-Captain in Tests
The biggest story from this squad announcement is undoubtedly Ravindra Jadeja’s elevation as vice-captain in Tests.
🌟 Why Jadeja as Vice-Captain?
- Experience: 71 Test matches, over 3000 runs, and 293 wickets.
- Balance: Provides India with batting depth and spin options.
- Leadership qualities: Already led India in moments when senior players were absent.
- Consistency: Match-winner both at home and abroad, especially since 2016.
By naming Jadeja deputy, the selectors have signaled faith in his ability to support Shubman Gill, a relatively new Test captain. It also shows India’s intent to groom multiple leaders as they prepare for the long WTC cycle.
🧢 Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Journey
After taking over from Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill led India for the first time in the England Test series earlier this year. The 2-2 result showcased both positives and areas of improvement:
- Strengths: Calm demeanor, tactical flexibility, backing youngsters.
- Weaknesses: Still learning on-field management against top sides.
Now, with Jadeja as his deputy, Gill will have a senior partner to lean on, especially during tough sessions in spin-friendly Indian conditions.
🩺 Rishabh Pant’s Absence – Big Void for India
India will once again miss the services of Rishabh Pant, who continues his recovery from a fractured foot at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
- Pant’s fearless batting at No.6 and his wicketkeeping skills have been game-changing in Tests.
- His leadership presence as vice-captain in England was vital, and his absence leaves India searching for balance.
The selectors have chosen Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan as wicketkeeping options, with Jurel expected to take the gloves. While talented, both lack Pant’s big-match experience.
👥 Changes From the England Tour
Several players from the England series have been dropped, while others return to the fold.
❌ Dropped Players
- Abhimanyu Easwaran – despite being a consistent domestic run-scorer, has been overlooked.
- Karun Nair – 205 runs in eight innings in England wasn’t enough to retain his spot.
- Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, Shardul Thakur – rotated out for fresh options.
✅ Returning Players
- Axar Patel – strengthens the spin department.
- Devdutt Padikkal – seen as a long-term top-order option.
- N Jagadeesan – returns as a backup wicketkeeper.
🎙️ Ajit Agarkar on Karun Nair’s Exclusion
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar provided clarity on Karun Nair’s omission despite some decent outings in England:
“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 and got a fifty there. He has shown some decent form. Frankly, we expected a bit more from Karun.”
This shows India’s emphasis on form, adaptability, and future potential over past achievements.
🔄 Balanced Squad Composition
The squad has been carefully structured to maintain balance across departments.
🌀 Spin Department
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
With four high-quality spinners, India are clearly preparing for turning tracks against West Indies.
💪 Pace Department
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (fast-bowling allrounder)
Bumrah’s return after a five-week break adds world-class firepower, while Siraj continues to be a key strike bowler.
🌍 India’s WTC 2025–27 Context
India’s upcoming series against West Indies holds huge significance for the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
- Current standing: 3rd with 46.67 points.
- Ahead: Australia and Sri Lanka.
- West Indies: 0 points after 3-0 loss to Australia.
A clean sweep against West Indies could push India back into the top two, keeping their dream of reaching a fourth consecutive WTC Final alive.
📊 India’s Probable XI vs West Indies
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. Shubman Gill (c)
3. KL Rahul
4. B Sai Sudharsan / Devdutt Padikkal
5. Ravindra Jadeja (vc)
6. Dhruv Jurel (wk)
7. Washington Sundar / Axar Patel
8. Jasprit Bumrah
9. Mohammed Siraj
10. Prasidh Krishna
11. Kuldeep Yadav
🏟️ Series Details
- Match 1: October 2, Ahmedabad
- Match 2: October 10, Delhi
- Format: 2-Test Series
- Context: 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle
🔥 Key Players to Watch
⭐ Ravindra Jadeja
All eyes will be on India’s new vice-captain. Expect him to play a defining role with both bat and ball.
⭐ Shubman Gill
Gill’s leadership skills will be tested on home soil as captain.
⭐ Jasprit Bumrah
Fresh after a break, Bumrah’s pace will be crucial to dismantle the West Indies batting order.
⭐ Yashasvi Jaiswal
In sublime form in Tests, Jaiswal could dominate against West Indies’ inexperienced bowlers.
⚔️ India vs West Indies – Historical Test Rivalry
- Total Tests Played: 100+
- India Wins: 24
- West Indies Wins: 30
- Draws: 47
While West Indies historically dominated, India have completely flipped the rivalry in the past two decades, winning the last six Test series against the Caribbean side.
📢 Expert Take – What This Means for India
India’s squad reflects a mix of youth and experience, but the headline remains Jadeja’s leadership role. His elevation:
- Gives India a senior leader in the dressing room.
- Reduces the leadership burden on Gill.
- Sets the stage for grooming Jadeja as a mentor for younger players.
The two-match series vs West Indies also provides India a chance to:
- Solidify their WTC standing.
- Experiment with new combinations (Padikkal, Jurel, Jagadeesan).
- Test their spin-bowling depth ahead of future tours.
🙋 FAQs – India Squad for West Indies Tests 2025
Q1: Who is India’s new vice-captain for the West Indies Test series?
👉 Ravindra Jadeja has been appointed vice-captain for the first time in Test cricket.Q2: Why is Rishabh Pant not part of the squad?
👉 Pant is recovering from a fractured foot and is undergoing rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.Q3: Who are India’s wicketkeeping options?
👉 Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan, with Jurel likely to start as first-choice keeper.Q4: When will the Test series be played?
👉 October 2 in Ahmedabad and October 10 in Delhi.Q5: How does this series impact India’s WTC campaign?
👉 A clean sweep will boost India’s points and strengthen their position in the top three of the WTC table.🏆 Final Thoughts: India Ready for a New Chapter
The announcement of Ravindra Jadeja as vice-captain marks a significant shift in India’s leadership dynamics in Test cricket. With Shubman Gill growing into his role as captain, Jadeja’s presence will bring invaluable experience and tactical support.
India’s squad is a perfect mix of experienced match-winners and rising stars, giving them a strong chance to dominate West Indies and climb higher in the WTC standings.
As the countdown to October 2 begins, one thing is certain — the spotlight will be firmly on Jadeja, Gill, and Bumrah as India aim to begin this home season on a winning note.