The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee on Thursday announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming 2-Test series against West Indies, starting October 2 in Ahmedabad. The series will also mark the beginning
of India’s home season 2025-26 and Shubman Gill’s second Test series as the Indian captain. Notably, the selectors have named all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as Gill’s deputy in the Windies Tests.
Meanwhile, IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) posted a congratulatory video on social media to celebrate Jadeja’s appointment as India’s vice-captain in Test cricket.
“Get. Set. Go. Thalapathy,” the caption of the post read.
Get. Set. Go. Thalapathy! 🦁💥#INDvWI #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/grATNvGCp6
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 25, 2025
Jadeja will serve as the deputy to skipper Shubman Gill in the absence of Rishabh Pant. Pant, who has been sidelined due to a fractured toe he sustained during India’s tour of England, has been ruled out of the Windies series, but Agarkar hoped to have the southpaw return in time for the South Africa series.
“Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain at the moment and a key player. But unfortunately, he hasn’t quite recovered to make this Test series,” Agarkar revealed.
“We are hopeful by the time South Africa comes, he will be 100 per cent fit. There is no exact timeline on his return as yet, but I know he’s not going to make these two Test matches against West Indies, but after that he’s very close to getting fit,” the 47-year-old clarified.
Jadeja certainbly reaped rewards for his stellar show in the England tour earlier this year. He ended the 5-match series as the third-highest scorer for the team, amassing 516 runs at an impressive average of 86. With the ball, the south paw bagged 7 wickets in 5 games which also included a four-wicket haul.
“Jaddu has been one of top performers with a lot of experience. So that’s essentially the reason,” Agarkar explained.
India Squad For West Indies Series:
Shubman Gill (captain), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Narayan Jagadeeshan.
