IND vs WI 2025: Reason behind Axar Patel absence from the first Test

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Reason behind Axar Patel absence from the first Test: Axar Patel was not included in India's playing XI for the first Test of the two-match Test series against the West Indies. The left-handed all-rounder has consistently performed well in India's home Test series in recent years, but this time the team management decided to maintain a different balance in its bowling unit.

On the green pitch of the Narendra Modi Stadium, India decided to play three spinners – Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. Both Jadeja and Sundar will provide depth with the bat, allowing the team to have more flexibility in the middle order.

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Kuldeep has been recalled to the team after spending most of his time on the bench during the England tour and will bring variety with his wrist spin. Along with them, India has two main seam bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, while Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is returning from injury, will provide an additional fast bowling option as an all-rounder.

Indian captain Shubman Gill We have four Test matches (at home) before the end of the year, and we'd like to win all four. Preparation has been good. All the players are in great shape, we just need to adjust our mindset to the red ball. It looks like a very good pitch. I'm not disappointed about losing the toss; it's under the covers and we might get some help early on. We have two fast bowlers – Bumrah and Siraj, three spinners – Jaddu Bhai, Washington, and Kuldeep, and all-rounder Nitish Reddy.

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India (IND) Confirmed Playing

1. KL Rahul
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Sai Sudharsan
4. Shubman Gill(C)
5. Dhruv Jurel(WK)
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Washington Sundar
8. Nitish Kumar Reddy
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Mohammed Siraj

West Indies (WI) Confirmed Playing

1. Tagenarine Chanderpaul
2. John Campbell
3. Roston Chase(C)
4. Brandon King
5. Justin Greaves
6. Alick Athanaze
7. Shai Hope(WK)
8. Johann Layne
9. Jomel Warrican
10. Khary Pierre
11. Jayden Seales

Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Creates History, Crowned the Best T20I Batsman of All Time

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