Former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has revealed his preferred Indian playing XI for the first Test of the upcoming two-match home series against the West Indies, scheduled to begin in Ahmedabad on October 2, 2025. Karthik’s selection, which he shared on Cricbuzz, notably excludes in-form left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has been a consistent bench-warmer in the Test setup despite his impressive record. The former gloveman has instead opted to strengthen the batting depth by including spin-bowling all-rounders in a move that reflects the recent trend in Indian Test selections.

IND vs WI: Dinesh Karthik picks India’s playing XI for the 1st Test against West Indies

Karthik’s lineup for the series opener prioritizes stability in the top order and all-round options in the lower middle order, leading to the surprising exclusion of Kuldeep. The batting order features a blend of established and emerging talent: The two openers are KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, followed by Sai Sudharsan at number three. Skipper Shubman Gill slots in at number four, with the returning Devdutt Padikkal at five.

The inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja at six, along with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel at seven, provides a solid base. The notable aspect of Karthik’s selection is the use of three spinners (Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar) to secure batting depth until number nine, leaving Kuldeep out of the playing XI, despite the wrist-spinner’s outstanding Test numbers.

“I think India has a very solid team. If you do go through that whole lineup you have Yashasvi and KL to open. You have Sai Sudarshan will bat at three. Shubman Gil at four. You have DV particle coming back into the squad at number five. Dhruv Jurel at six. After that the allrounders will start Ravindra Jadeja who will ideally bat at six and probably Jurel at seven. And then you have Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and the two pacers,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

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IND vs WI: The exclusion of in-form spinner Kuldeep Yadav

Karthik’s decision to omit Kuldeep means the left-arm wrist-spinner will likely warm the bench again, mirroring his fate during the recent five-match series in England. Karthik’s strategy relies on the spin trio of Jadeja, Axar and Sundar, all of whom offer competent batting ability, a key factor in India’s home Test strategy.

“The only question is will you play Kuldeep or do you want to play the extra pacer or the extra finger spinner? I still think they will go if the pitch is going to be anything like what I’m thinking which is turn a bit. I think they’ll stick to their finger spinners. Again I think we’re going in a little blind here because we don’t know what the pitch is going to be like. If the pitch is a really flat one, then I think I would pick Kuldeep. But if the pitch is going to turn, I’ll stick to Axar,” Karthik concluded.

Kuldeep has a brilliant Test match record, having taken 56 wickets in just 13 games at an average of 22.16, including four five-wicket hauls. The spinner’s last Test appearance for India came almost a year ago in the opening match of the home series loss against New Zealand in October last year.

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