India’s tour of West Indies got kick-started Wednesday, July 12, 2023, with a two-Test match series in West Indies. This two-Test rubber also signaled the onset of the WTC 2023/25 cycle for both teams.
The first match is being played at Windsor Park in Dominica. India are playing in Dominica after 12 years.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and elected to bat first in the first Test. Both the teams have some debutants.
For India, wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan and left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal are playing their first career Test match while for the hosts, talented spinner Jomel Warrican was given his Test cap.
One Indian player who hasn’t got his Test cap yet is seamer Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh Kumar has been part of India’s squads for the past year, but the 29-year-old from Bihar is yet to make his India debut. He is in the squad for both Tests and ODIs.
Why was Mukesh Kumar not picked for 1st India-West Indies Test?
India opted for Thakur’s all-round abilities over Mukesh Kumar. India captain Rohit Sharma went with a 3-pacers and 2-spinners bowling attack. India’s bowling comprised pacers Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat and seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, and the two spinners are R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Mukesh Kumar has impressive first-class record: in 36 first-class matches, Mukesh has picked up 149 wickets at a brilliant average of 21. However, he’s not played a Test yet. Despite India being without both Shami and Bumrah, and with Umesh and Ishant dropped, Mukesh Kumar might have expected to play, but the Asian giants have opted for Unadkat, who is playing his career’s third Test match, and Thakur.
Teams:
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj
West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva(w), Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
