Layne Replaces Injured Joseph as India, West Indies Name Squads
Ahmedabad, Sept. 27 – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has called up uncapped fast-bowling all-rounder Johann Layne to replace Alzarri Joseph, who has been sidelined with an injury ahead of the India series.
In a statement on Wednesday, CWI said Joseph would be re-evaluated before the upcoming limited-overs tour of Bangladesh. The board did not reveal details of the injury sustained by the 26-year-old, who featured in Sunday’s Caribbean Premier League final.
Joseph, hailed as a rising pace star, made headlines last year when he helped West Indies clinch their first Test win in Australia in 27 years—despite battling a bruised toe at the time.
The West Indies squad arrived in India this week for a two-Test series starting October 2 in Ahmedabad. Afterward, they will face Bangladesh in three ODIs and three T20s between October 18 and November 1.
Meanwhile, India has suffered a setback with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant ruled out of the series due to a foot injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Pant, who fractured his foot during the England series earlier this month, remains in recovery.
Dhruv Jurel will take the gloves in Pant’s absence, while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been named vice-captain under skipper Shubman Gill.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar told reporters in Dubai that Jadeja was the “obvious choice” given his experience. “I don’t know Pant’s exact recovery timeline, but we hope he’s fit for the South Africa tour,” Agarkar said.
India’s 15-man squad leans heavily on spin options, with Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav all included. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, is also expected to feature in both Tests.
Agarkar said Bumrah, who was carefully managed during the England tour, was “fit and eager” to lead the attack. “We’ve had a fair break since the England series. He’s ready for both Tests,” he added.
The two-Test series begins on October 2 in Ahmedabad, with the second match set for Delhi from October 10.
India Test Squad: Shubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, N Jagadeesan (wk).
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