West Indies have left former captain Kraigg Brathwaite out of their 15-man roster for the forthcoming Test series in India. The selectors have recalled Alick Athanaze and Tagenarine Chanderpaul to strengthen a batting unit chosen for its ability to handle spin.
Brathwaite, who was dropped from the XI during the final Test against Australia earlier this year, is not included, as are Keacy Carty, Johann Layne, and Mikyle Louis. The group also includes left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who has yet to make his Test debut. Pierre will be the second specialist spinner, alongside vice-captain Jomel Warrican, who has 41 wickets at an outstanding average of 13.56 in the West Indies Championship.
“The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order given the recent struggles, with Alick Athanaze being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling. Khary is included for the first time as our second spinner in what we expect to be helpful conditions,” said head coach, Daren Sammy as quoted by.
Athanaze recently played red-ball cricket on the subcontinent against Pakistan in January.
While Chanderpaul, who played his most recent Test on the 2024 Australia tour, is anticipated to partner John Campbell at the top of the order. Kevlon Anderson, who has a great first-class average of 42.05, retains his position in the squad.
The batting lineup also features captain Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, and Brandon King. Warrican, Pierre, and Chase will lead the spin department, while the pace attack will include Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, and Jayden Seales.
The squad departs the Caribbean on September 22 and is slated to arrive in Ahmedabad on September 24, with the first Test starting on October 2. Only Chase, Hope, Alzarri, and Warrican remain from the team’s 2018-19 tour of India.
Gudakesh Motie, a left-arm spinner, has been rested due to his busy schedule. West Indies will play three Twenty20 Internationals against Nepal later this month, followed by two Tests in India. They then go to Bangladesh in October-November for a white-ball series before wrapping off the year with an all-format tour of New Zealand from November 5 to December 22, which includes five T20Is, three ODIs, and three Tests.
West Indies Test squad for India Tests
Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Khary Pierre, Jomel Warrican, John Campbell, Kevlon Anderson, Roston Chase (Captain), Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales
India
