The selection changes for India’s upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, set to begin on October 2 in Ahmedabad, have ignited considerable debate. Notably, Karun Nair, who managed 205 runs across eight innings in the preceding England series, has been omitted, while fresh faces like Devdutt Padikkal have been included, and B Sai Sudharsan retained. This signals a clear strategic pivot by India towards nurturing younger talent in Test cricket.
Reflecting on these pivotal selection choices and the team’s broader strategy for the series, former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra shared his candid perspective in an interview.
Regarding Nair’s exclusion, Mishra didn’t mince words: “He was given a chance. I will say that he was very lucky to make a comeback in the Indian team at the age of 33. It was an opportunity for him to do well. He played so many matches, but did not perform well.”
Mishra further elaborated on the infusion of young blood into the squad: “It’s natural that after a certain period, you must consider promising youngsters who are performing well. They deserve an opportunity, and Sai Sudharsan is precisely the type of player who will now receive more chances, aligning with the current selection philosophy. His batting technique is sound, he plays effectively, and he takes his time to settle before unleashing his shots. Consequently, opportunities are being extended to players like him, as it’s the opportune moment to integrate more young talents into the Test side who can become valuable long-term assets for the team.”
Turning to the spin department, the squad sees the return of Axar Patel, joining vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.
Mishra expressed confidence in India’s spin strength, particularly against the West Indies: “I always emphasize that we should leverage our primary strength, which has consistently been spin bowling, especially when facing the West Indies. Whenever the pitch offers even a slight advantage to spinners, the West Indies team typically struggles. Therefore, relying on our strengths is a sensible approach, as we possess a full complement of spin options – left-arm spin, our vice-captain who excels in both batting and left-arm spin, Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. This means we have a variety of spinners at our disposal. However, we will undoubtedly field two specialist spinners.”
India currently stands in a strong third position in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, boasting 46.67 percentage points, while the West Indies are yet to register their first points.
The veteran spinner lauded the selection committee’s foresight in embracing a youth-focused strategy. “I believe having a significant number of young players in the team is highly beneficial. The most encouraging aspect is that these young talents are being introduced ahead of major upcoming series or tournaments. This presents the biggest opportunity for them, and they must seize it by delivering strong performances for the team and solidifying their positions. It’s also commendable that players excelling in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League are being given a platform to demonstrate their capabilities. I’ve always known that chief selector Ajit Agarkar strives to assemble the best possible team, and I see him moving in that precise direction.”
With wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant still undergoing recovery from a fractured right foot, the promising Dhruv Jurel has captured significant attention as a potential replacement.
Concluding his thoughts on player opportunities, Mishra stated: “Regardless of who gets a chance, be it Jurel or any other youngster, their focus must be on scoring runs and performing well to secure their spot in future series and tournaments. This kind of consistent performance significantly boosts confidence. In my playing days, we didn’t receive opportunities so quickly. Now, these young players are getting that chance.”
“In our era, one had to perform consistently for two to three years, then progress through India A before even having a chance at the national team. Today, if you perform well in just one season, you come into consideration for the Indian team. Once you’re in, the key is to maintain that form and continue performing to enjoy a long and successful career for India.”
He underscored the ultimate mantra for success: “The paramount thing is to concentrate solely on performances, nothing else. If you dedicate your efforts to performance, your place in the team will be automatically secure, irrespective of your age. If you perform well, maintain your fitness – which is incredibly crucial today – and whenever an opportunity arises, focus intently on how you intend to deliver. If you adhere to these principles, your position will naturally be established.”