🏏 India vs West Indies: 1st Test at Roseau: Day 3 - 14/07/23 Pg 66🏏 - Page 3

India have made some team announcements already with Yashashvi Jaiswal handed a Test cap, he'll also open the innings with Shubman Gill pushed to number 3, a slot that he's favoured. Rohit also confirmed that they're going to play two spinners which means that Axar Patel could miss out. Will Mukesh Kumar, the 29-year old Bengal pacer get the nod and a Test debut ahead of Navdeep Saini? For West Indies, one of Kirk Edwards or Alice Athanaze could be in line for a Test debut with the rest of the team picking themselves. We should know more about the team combinations shortly.

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

Fans of Indian cricket have been struggling to wrap their head around their vice-captaincy choice for this series. This is a team suggesting they are looking ahead, and yet, like a "merry-go-round", have gone back to Ajinkya Rahane as the deputy for this series. Remember, Rahane wasn't even in the Test squad till two months ago, but maybe just maybe there's still space for him in this team. At 35, Rahane believes he has "a lot of cricket left" in him, and even interjected "I'm not that old!" when a journalist suggested Rahane is on his last legs as an international cricketer.

Avinash: "Why Ishan Kishan, why?????? He has no business being in the squad.. forget the XI!!" -- X-factor option in the lower-middle order. All top Test teams are going that route. And of course, Pant is not there.

Rohit Sakhamuri: "Here's hoping that 10 years later, we look back at this test for its Indian debuts as we now do about Lords in '96!" -- Oh yes, a powerful twosome.

Shubman Gill: "Enjoyed the one-month break. First time in Barbados it was, also first time in Dominica. (No. 3 - why?) In India A matches, I batted at Nos. 3 and 4. They asked me where I wanted to bat, and I said I wanted No. 3. It is a position where I want to consolidate. (Having opened earlier...) It is always good to play with the new ball. I have the experience with the new ball, and when you're batting at No. 3, it is not very different although it is a little bit of a difference. (Feel like a senior player?) Not really. Roles are different. Definitely not feeling that way."

https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1679120757627187201?s=20

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

Rohit Sharma - We have been here for a while, played a practice game in Barbados, here in Dominica for the last 4 days, rain did have a say, but we're well prepared. The championship cycle final is two years away, but we've been consistent over the last couple of cycles. New guys in the squad, we just want to keep better as a team. I want the two debutants to enjoy, they've worked hard to come here, I want to make them feel comfortable and have some good memories of their first Test

Kraigg Brathwaite - We are batting first, the surface is generally dry, bit of moisture, we'll have to work hard in the first hour. We had a 10-day camp, Brian Lara was there as well, had a practice game amongst ourselves, looking good. We have been in good positions during the last cycle, but it's all about being consistent. Want to see the guys be positive. Athanaze is making his debut, Cornwall and Warrican are the two spinners, Kirk McKenzie and Shannon Gabriel miss out

Highest avg in FCC at the time of India Test debut

88.37 - Vinod Kambli (27 matches)

81.23 - Praveen Amre (23)

80.21 - Yashasvi Jaiswal (15)

71.28 - Rusi Modi (38)

70.18 - Sachin Tendulkar (9)

68.78 - Shubman Gill (23)

Pranit Dhasade: I Hope it’s not the end of Pujara, In this modern era of batting we need someone who can give us glimpses of old school batting