India enters this home season facing fresh uncertainties alongside the familiar weight of expectations. This marks their first home Test following the 0-3 defeat, their first under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, and their first since R Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hung up their boots. An unusually grassy Ahmedabad surface introduces another variable, potentially heightening the significance of winning the toss.
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India vs West Indies 1st Test: Preview
If this India-West Indies series beginning Thursday (October 2) in Ahmedabad were chess, India would risk more than they could gain. Higher-rated players earn minimal rewards defeating weaker opponents—returns diminish further when the rating gap widens substantially.
The current situation mirrors this dynamic, with more at stake for India than their visitors. Ranked No. 4 faces No. 8 in ICC standings, but with 24 vital World Test Championship points available, India would normally expect straightforward progress. Instead, unpredictable conditions could complicate matters.
On paper, personnel-wise, this Ahmedabad Test appears severely one-sided. Yet play will commence with both teams locked at 0 for 0, in conditions whose behavior remains uncertain to everyone.
India always faces expectations of home victories. Between early 2013 and roughly the same period last year, India consistently fulfilled these predictions.
Then came the shift. New Zealand’s visit exposed the considerable skill and dedication required for India to maintain their aura of dominance across such an extended timeframe. Being the world’s premier side demands constant validation through performance, facing talented athletes presenting fresh obstacles each time.
New Zealand notwithstanding, India remains formidable on home soil. Coming off a courageously contested drawn series in England, they radiate confidence. Gill, who appeared unstoppable batting fourth in England, prepares to captain again in comfortable home surroundings. The dynamic opening partnership of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, supported by Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel at five or six, provides India strong batting depth despite Rishabh Pant’s regular wicketkeeper absence.
Their sole difficulty stems from excessive resources—four genuine all-rounders (Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy) populate the squad. XI selection becomes challenging, particularly since the Narendra Modi Stadium surface differs from typical dusty turners.
Jadeja and Sundar, following their English excellence, merit automatic inclusion. Kuldeep Yadav’s presence further complicates selection, especially given Axar’s outstanding venue statistics. This leaves two spots among three candidates—Axar, Reddy, Kuldeep—complementing the attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Jadeja, Sundar.
Pre-match reports indicate Indian management made no specific pitch requests to the host association. The red-soil track carries some grass coverage, with local sentiment favoring longer matches over brief encounters. Whether West Indies can genuinely capitalize on a ‘sporting’ pitch and pressure India remains the central question.
India had strung together 18 successive home Test series victories from 2012/13 through 2024/25—a run New Zealand ended last year (0-3). Australia’s best streak reached 10 twice: 1994/95-2000/01 and 2004-2008/09.
These nations have met in 10 bilateral series this century. West Indies captured the five-match 2002 home series 2-1, while India swept each subsequent nine series. West Indies haven’t beaten India in Tests since those 2002 wins.
Following their 243-run Mohali triumph in December 1994, West Indies have contested 10 Tests against India in India, drawing two while losing eight.
Jadeja requires 114 runs to join an exclusive club with 4000 runs and 300 wickets in Tests. Only Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Daniel Vettori achieved this previously.
Jadeja stands 114 runs from becoming Test cricket’s fourth player reaching 4000 runs and 300 wickets. Botham, Kapil Dev and Vettori currently occupy that exclusive group.
Yet India’s concerns seem minor compared to West Indies’ mounting troubles: crucial pace bowlers sidelined through injury, a T20I series defeat to Nepal (though with a completely different squad from their Test team), the urgent review triggered by their 27 all out collapse in Kingston, and fundamental questions about their World Test Championship participation. Everywhere West Indies looks, another crisis looms.
However, this precarious position might liberate them to take risks. Captain Roston Chase framed it straightforwardly before the match: “When you have nothing to lose, you can just go and play freely, because, I mean, everyone is expecting us to lose.”
The quality differential between these teams is vast both theoretically and practically, with West Indies cricket’s state generating worldwide concern. Their most recent pink-ball appearance ended disastrously (27 all out), while recent limited-overs results proved humiliating (against Nepal). Red-ball prospects appear similarly bleak, though Chase maintains he commands a distinct group.
Throughout their Indian visit, West Indies have referenced last year’s India-New Zealand series, where Rohit Sharma’s team suffered a shocking 0-3 whitewash. Reality suggests that outcome represented an unusual anomaly within India’s otherwise merciless home record. Actually, across their last 22 Tests since 2006, West Indies have claimed zero victories, suffering 13 defeats alongside nine draws.
Chase, Shai Hope and Jomel Warrican represent the only current squad members from West Indies’ previous Indian Test series in 2018. These three, plus John Campbell, also returned for a standalone Afghanistan Test in Lucknow a year afterward.
Campbell sits six runs from 1000 Test runs.
India vs West Indies 1st Test: Recent Form
India WDLWL (last five Tests, most recent first)
West Indies LLLWL
India vs West Indies 1st Test: Head-to-head
| Matches Played | 100 |
| India Won | 23 |
| West Indies Won | 30 |
| Draw | 47 |
| First Meeting | 10th – 14th November, 1948 |
| Last Meeting | 20th – 24th July, 2023 |
India vs West Indies 1st Test: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
India launches this home campaign on an uncommonly verdant surface, potentially carrying 4-5mm of grass coverage. Team selection and toss strategies may hinge on moisture levels present on match morning. Both sides will monitor weather conditions closely, given Ahmedabad’s sporadic rainfall preceding the Test and anticipated showers during the opening day.
India enters as heavy favorites, though Gill acknowledges uncertainty about proceedings. The captain’s puzzle revolves around the unpredictable track. “The previous Test here used black soil. This one features red soil. I’m genuinely curious to observe how the surface behaves across five days,” Gill remarked before play. With West Indies missing crucial bowlers—Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph—Chase’s weakened bowling unit appears vulnerable against India’s formidable batting order. An Indian triumph seems virtually guaranteed, though the duration remains questionable, particularly with atmospheric moisture present.
India vs West Indies 1st Test: Team News and Predicted XI
India – Team News
India maintained their customary secrecy regarding selection ahead of the match, though Gill hinted at potentially deploying a third pace option given the grassy red-soil surface in Ahmedabad. This raises questions: does it signal frontline quick Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion, or does it indicate allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection? And how might this impact the spin contingent, particularly Kuldeep Yadav’s prospects?
With a fully fit squad, the hosts grapple with selection abundance. Initial plans involved releasing Reddy for the India A or Rest of India fixture if he wasn’t under consideration for the starting lineup. Those arrangements have apparently been scrapped, with India now contemplating his deployment as a third seamer alongside Bumrah and Siraj. Three from the quartet of spin options are anticipated to feature in the XI, meaning N Jagadeesan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Prasidh Krishna will likely remain unused.
India – Predicted XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- B Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy/Axar Patel/Devdutt Padikkal
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav/Prasidh Krishna
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
West Indies – Team news
Jediah Blades, called up to replace Alzarri Joseph in West Indies’ roster, had yet to arrive in Ahmedabad by Wednesday. Consequently, Seales will be supported in the pace department by Anderson Phillip and/or debutant Johann Layne, plus allrounder Justin Greaves. Khary Pierre may earn his first cap at 34, potentially forming a dual left-arm spin partnership with Jomel Warrican.
The squad shows three alterations from the unit that recently confronted Australia: Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze return, while Pierre receives his inaugural Test summons. However, both Josephs—Shamar and Alzarri—are sidelined for the series through injury, and their substitute Blades, a left-arm quick, remains absent from the venue. The touring party faces challenging selection decisions.
West Indies – Predicted XI
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Kevlon Anderson
- Alick Athanaze
- Brandon King
- Shai Hope (wk)
- Roston Chase
- Justin Greaves
- Khary Pierre
- Jomel Warrican
- Anderson Phillip/Johann Layne
- Jayden Seales
India vs West Indies 1st Test: Players to Watch Out for
Ravindra Jadeja
India’s most recent home Test excluding Ashwin dates back to November 2010. Despite their formidable spin resources without him, the true impact of his absence will only emerge through practical experience.
Under these circumstances, Ravindra Jadeja assumes heightened significance beyond his typical contributions—with ball, bat, and leadership presence—extending well past his vice-captaincy role for this series.
Jayden Seales
Ahmedabad’s surface carries grass coverage, yet West Indies lack both Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph. They do possess, however, one of international cricket’s premier emerging pace prospects in Jayden Seales, whose 88 Test scalps arrive at an exceptional 22.32 average.
He combines speed with skill, delivering at a naturally fuller length that could trouble India’s batsmen substantially if conditions offer assistance. Should momentum favor him, Seales possesses the capability to produce the sort of match-defining performance Suranga Lakmal delivered in Kolkata during 2017 or Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke managed in Bengaluru last year.
India vs West Indies 1st Test: Match Prediction
India enters this contest as overwhelming favorites, bolstered by their exceptional home record and a comprehensive squad. The hosts have whitewashed West Indies in their last three home series—in 2013, 2018, and 2022—demonstrating complete dominance. Fresh from drawing level 2-2 in England with a dramatic six-run victory in the final Test, India carries significant momentum and confidence into familiar conditions. The red-soil pitch with 4-5mm grass coverage is expected to provide early seam movement before gradually favoring spinners as the match progresses.
With the toss winner likely to bowl first and exploit morning conditions, India’s pacers could capitalize on any early assistance. West Indies arrives with a depleted and inexperienced lineup, missing key bowler Shamar Joseph, which has significantly weakened their attack. The Caribbean batting lineup has historically struggled against quality spin in subcontinental conditions—a challenge magnified against India’s world-class spinners. While West Indies will seek competitive moments and hope to frustrate India’s bowlers, experts predict India to secure victory in this opening Test, with the hosts expected to bounce back emphatically from last year’s New Zealand debacle.
Where and When to Watch India vs West Indies 1st Test? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The opening Test between India and West Indies commences on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 9:30 AM IST at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network across multiple channels including Star Sports 1, 2, and 3, ensuring comprehensive television coverage for cricket enthusiasts.
For digital viewers, live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website, providing convenient access across mobile devices and computers. UK-based fans can catch the action live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage beginning at 5:00 AM local time. The five-day fixture runs through October 6, with daily play scheduled to start at 9:30 AM IST, offering fans multiple viewing options to follow what promises to be an intriguing contest as India looks to reclaim home dominance.
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FAQs
When and where is the India vs West Indies Test match being played?
The Test match begins on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from 9:30 am IST.
Who is captaining India in this Test series?
Shubman Gill is leading India for the first time in a home Test, following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin.
What makes this Ahmedabad pitch different from usual Indian surfaces?
Unlike typical dusty turners, this red-soil pitch carries 4-5mm of grass and could offer assistance to seamers, making team selection and toss decisions crucial based on moisture levels.
Why are West Indies considered underdogs despite the green pitch?
West Indies are missing key fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph due to injuries, leaving them with a weakened attack. They also haven’t defeated India in a Test since 2002 and recently suffered a humiliating 27 all out in Kingston.
What milestone is Ravindra Jadeja approaching?
Jadeja needs just 114 runs to become only the fourth player in Test history to achieve the double of 4000 runs and 300 wickets, joining Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, and Daniel Vettori in this exclusive club.
