Karun Nair Dropped as India Prepares Fresh-Looking Squad for West Indies Tests - Reports

The curtain raiser for the West Indies tour of India hit the floor with the much-anticipated squad update for India in the upcoming home Test.

Reportedly, the squad is not expected to undergo a major shuffle, except for a few notable exclusions, including injury replacements. The comeback story of Karun Nair may have ended, as he was speculated to be the first name removed from the squad, with his lackluster series in England and the emergence of upcoming young players being the reasons.

Karun Nair’s Comeback Hits a Roadblock

Karun Nair played four Tests in different positions, scoring only 205 runs at an average of just over 25, with one half-century in eight innings. In a Test match environment where runs are flourishing with centuries after centuries, the Karnataka batter wasn’t at his best and failed to convert the starts he had with the bat.

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According to Cricbuzz, Karun Nair may make way for Devdutt Padikkal in the squad, with his Karnataka teammate making a strong case through consistent performances in first-class cricket. Karun, who made a hard-fought comeback after 8 years in the Indian team, may have to start grinding again domestically to hope for yet another return.

Dhruv Jurel Named First-Choice Wicketkeeper

Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel will be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper, with Rishabh Pant still recovering from the injury he suffered during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter Narayan Jagadeesan is expected to be picked in the squad as back-up to Jurel.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Availability Still Uncertain

Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion will be decided after he completes the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, in what are expected to be spin-friendly conditions. India is expected to focus on a spin-heavy attack, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna likely to be the two seamers in Bumrah’s absence alongside the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, who is expected to return to the squad.

Meanwhile, the rest of the players, like Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will play in the two Tests led by Shubman Gill. The two-match Test series is set to begin from October 2 in Ahmedabad, followed by the second Test in New Delhi from October 10 to 14.

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