On 25th September 2025, the BCCI announced India’s 15-member Test squad which would play against the West Indies for the upcoming two-match series. The selection of the squad has ignited discussions and debate among the fans and the experts. Notably, Karun Nair has been left out of the squad, while Devdutt Padikkal is making his appearance back on the list. Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer are also missing, with Axar Patel managing to book a seat under his name.
The exclusion of Karun Nair and the return of Devdutt Padikkal in India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against the West Indies has yet again raised some eyebrows. In a squad where performance is valued more than sentiment, the decision has attracted the inevitable debate. Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the squad, explained his rationale behind the selection. “We expected more from Karun Nair". It can’t be just one inning. Padikkal offers more. This portrays the no-nonsense approach the selectors are championing and clearly highlights the expected level of intensity from the team on and off the field.
The return of Karun Nair to the Test Cricket earlier in the year was seen as his golden ticket to redemption. Unfortunately, his numbers failed to foster confidence among the selectors. With only 205 runs throughout the England series and with a single fifty, he hardly justified the expectations set for a player who was once celebrated for a triple hundred.
With their selection, the selectors have given a clear message that there is no room for nostalgia. Nair’s exclusion from the team gives an important message that past achievements matter only when the recent performance supports them. The decision may come across as harsh, but with fierce competition running in the middle order, the patience can fade quickly.
Similarly, Mohammed Shami also couldn’t secure his spot in the squad, despite his recent return to the field after recovery. His exclusion shows that the team management supports the prioritization of young pacers. On the other hand, the absence of Shreyas Iyer is also prominently noticeable. As per the reports, because of his recurring stiffness and back issues, Shreyas Iyer has decided to opt for a break from the red ball cricket, which naturally puts him off the list. In past conferences, Agarkar has been vocal about Iyer’s omission, indicating no current space and wanting to try fresh combinations.
The inclusion of Axar Patel in the squad is notable. Patel’s ability to spin the ball and handiness in the lower batting order could contribute significantly to strengthening the squad. What draws the major attention is Devdutt Padikkal's addition to the team. At 25, Padikkal brings that flexibility and freshness to the team that the squad was scouting for. He may not have the experience of someone like Nair, but he does offer adaptability and consistency, qualities crucial in the eyes of selectors and management.
It could be possibly seen as a gamble, but Padikkal’s performances in domestic tournaments and for India A speak for themselves. The selection of Paddikal and other young players like Washington Sundar and Nitesh Kumar Reddy highlights that the selectors would rather prefer the current form and performance of the player over their past experience with the formats.
If something could be inferred from these changes in the squad, it’s that the selection committee is focusing on building a squad not just for today, but for the challenges tomorrow. Dropping Nair and including Padikkal indicates the shift in the philosophy of the selection committee, where the caps are not handed out based on the reputation but on the player's ability to push and sustain for the team in the crucial and demanding times. Moreover, India’s focus is not just restricted to gearing up for this series with the West Indies; they are simultaneously craving a position for themselves in the bigger picture, the World Test Championship. The selectors aren’t hesitant in grooming the new blood and creating a squad that holds the potential to carry India’s cricketing legacy forward.
Indian Test Squad for West Indies Series: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (Wk), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N. Jagadeesan (Wk), Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav