In Short
- Ishan Kishan was picked ahead of KS Bharat
- Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the batting with Rohit Sharma
- West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first
By India Today Sports DeskIshan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal were handed maiden Test caps ahead of the first Test against West Indies, starting July 12 at the Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica.
Before the game, skipper Rohit Sharma said that Jaiswal would make his debut. The southpaw averages in the 80s in first-class cricket with nine centuries to show for his efforts. Jaiswal was also the leading run-scorer in the IPL 2023.
“We have got that left-hander in Jaiswal and let’s hope that he performs well for the team and he can really make that spot his own,” Rohit was quoted as saying in the pre-match press conference.
Kishan got a chance in India’s playing XI ahead of KS Bharat, who last played in the World Test Championship Final against Pat Cummins’s Australia at the Kennington Oval in London.
In the interaction with the media, Rohit also said that Shubman Gill would bat at No.3, having batted at that position in domestic cricket for quite some time. It means that Jaiswal will open the batting with captain Rohit.
“Shubman Gill will play at No. 3 because he wants to play at three. He told [coach] Rahul [Dravid] bhai that he has played all of his cricket at No. 3 and No. 4 and that he can do better for the team at No. 3. It helps us too, as it creates a left-right opening combination. This is what we are trying and hopefully, this becomes a long-term thing as we have been desperate for a left-hander,” Rohit added.
India made their way through to the WTC final both times, but ended up losing to New Zealand and the Aussies. They will look to their start the 2023-25 WTC cycle on a handsome note.
India haven’t lost a Test against the West Indies in the last 21 years.
Julian Marks
Kraig Prohaska
Easter Moore