Karun Dropped, Padikkal And Nitish In

India squad for West Indies Tests Announced: In a selection call that underscores both opportunity and consequence, India have recalled Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Reddy for the upcoming two-Test home series against West Indies. The 15-member squad, announced on Thursday, will be led by Shubman Gill, with Ravindra Jadeja named vice-captain in the continued absence of Rishabh Pant.

Pant, recovering from a foot fracture sustained during the final Test at Old Trafford, remains unavailable, leaving India once again leaning on a combination of youth and returning form to steady the middle order. Among the notable omissions are Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran, two names that have now become almost synonymous with the fringes of Indian Test selection.

Nair, 33, has paid the price for a modest return on his England comeback, having managed just 205 runs at 25.62 across four Tests, including a solitary fifty at The Oval. In contrast, Padikkal has edged his way back into the squad with weight of runs, most recently a 150 for India ‘A’ against Australia ‘A’, following a hamstring layoff. His last Test appearance came in Perth late last year.

Nitish Reddy also returns after a knee injury cut short his England tour. His inclusion shores up the seam-bowling all-rounder slot, offering a versatile option in a squad that tilts heavily toward spin for subcontinental conditions.

“Selections are a mix of faith and form,†Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said. “Karun had the platform, but you need to make the most of it at this level.â€

Indeed, while Easwaran warmed the bench through five Tests in England, selectors felt no need for a reserve opener in home conditions, instead favouring middle-order flexibility and all-round depth. With Pant out, wicketkeeping duties will once again fall to Dhruv Jurel and N. Jagadeesan, the latter having impressed in domestic red-ball cricket.

Despite workload concerns, Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the squad, fresh off duty at the Asia Cup, which concludes just four days before the opening Test. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna complete the pace attack. The spin contingent, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and the returning Axar Patel, reflects Indiaâ€s traditional home advantage.

While the squad features familiar names, Nairâ€s exclusion from not just the Test side but also the Irani Cup squad for the Rest of India raises larger questions about his standing. That match, against Ranji champions Vidarbha, will feature several Test hopefuls, including Akash Deep, Khaleel Ahmed, and Anshul Kamboj.

For Padikkal and Nitish, the West Indies series offers a timely stage. For others, it may already be curtains.

India squad for West Indies Tests:

Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel,  N. Jagadeesan (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah

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