The West Indies have suffered a big blow ahead of their two-match Test series against India, with fast bowler Shamar Joseph ruled out due to injury. In his stead, 22-year-old all-rounder Johann Layne has been called up to the squad.
Joseph has been sidelined with an unidentified injury. The 24-year-old was slated to lead the pace attack in India, but his absence has forced the visitors to reconsider their bowling strategy. Cricket West Indies said that Joseph will undergo additional testing and is likely to be healthy for the forthcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, which begins on October 18 with three ODIs followed by three T20Is.
West Indies squad arrives in India on Wednesday morning
To fill the void, the West Indies have called up Johann Layne, a fast-bowling all-rounder from Barbados. Layne has already shown promise in domestic cricket. In 19 first-class matches, he has bagged 66 wickets at an average of 22.28, including four five-wicket hauls. With the bat, he has scored 495 runs with two half-centuries. Notably, this will be his first major assignment with the senior team.
Meanwhile, the West Indies squad arrived in India on Wednesday morning and will begin preparations with a training session at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The first Test begins at the same venue on October 2, followed by the second match in Visakhapatnam.
This series records the West Indies’ second assignment in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle after their home series against Australia in June-July 2025. With India expected to be dominant on home soil, the visitors will be up for a tough challenge.
Squad Update 🚨
Johann Layne has replaced Shamar Joseph in the squad for the test series against India.
Joseph has been ruled out due to an injury and will be re-evaluated ahead of the Bangladesh limited overs series.#INDvsWI | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/2z5uiZSicu
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) September 26, 2025
West Indies’ updated squad for two-match Test series
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales
India
