Karun Nair’s return to full fitness has put him squarely in the spotlight as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee prepares to virtually convene this week to choose India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies. Although his recent performance in England was modest, Nair’s past crucial innings, including a half-century at The Oval, keep him very much in the running. The selectors are likely to hold their meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday, which conveniently falls during the second or third day of the second unofficial Test between India ‘A’ and Australia ‘A’, allowing them to closely observe players like Nair before making final decisions.
The battle for a middle-order spot is intensifying, with Karun Nair facing stiff competition from Nitish Reddy. Reddy, now fully fit, is part of the India ‘A’ squad for the Australia ‘A’ Tests and, despite missing the first unofficial match, is anticipated to play in the second. The two-match series against West Indies begins in Ahmedabad on October 2nd, with the second Test in New Delhi from October 10th-14th. The selection panel must weigh Nair’s experience against Reddy’s current form and all-round capabilities, especially considering head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for versatile players.
While top-order batsmen like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, and captain Shubman Gill are considered automatic selections, the composition of the middle order is still up for debate. Dhruv Jurel is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties, as Rishabh Pant continues his recovery. The selectors face a crucial choice: whether to include an additional specialist batter or a batting all-rounder such as Nitish Reddy, which would significantly influence the team’s balance. Furthermore, the makeup of the bowling attack—featuring spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar, alongside pace leader Mohammed Siraj—will depend on whether the team opts for a second fast bowler or an extra all-rounder.
Regarding the pace attack, there’s speculation that Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for both Tests, paving the way for Prasidh Krishna to spearhead the fast-bowling unit alongside Mohammed Siraj. Axar Patel could also find a spot as a fourth bowling option, particularly if Nitish Reddy secures a middle-order batting position. The selection committee, working closely with captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, is focused on balancing player workload with the critical need for experienced guidance within the youthful squad.
The discussions extend to potential reserves and strategic backups. Narayan Jagadeesan is a strong contender, capable of stepping in as a secondary wicketkeeper or a third opening batsman, especially after his impressive 64-run performance in the first ‘A’ Test against Australia. This could potentially sideline Abhimanyu Easwaran if selectors favor Jagadeesan’s multi-role ability. Additionally, Devdutt Padikkal is an option for an extra batting slot, while Shreyas Iyer will be keen to make a significant impact in the second ‘A’ Test to strengthen his claim.