Shubman Gill’s India Enter 1st Test Against Struggling West Indies as Clear Favourites

Fresh off a contentious Asia Cup victory, Shubman Gill’s Indian cricket team is set to dominate a beleaguered West Indies side in the first of four home Tests starting Thursday at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake. India, ranked third in the WTC 2025-27 cycle after a 2-2 draw in England, faces a Caribbean outfit reeling from three consecutive Test losses and the absence of key pacers, making the hosts overwhelming favourites on a green-tinged pitch under cloudy skies, despite forecasts of minor rain disruptions.

The Indian squad, arriving from Dubai late Monday, has shifted focus to red-ball cricket despite the short turnaround. The absence of stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Mohammed Shami has not dimmed India’s depth, with settled batting and bowling units.

The green-top pitch—a departure from India’s traditional spin-friendly tracks that faltered against New Zealand in 2024—may prompt selectors to favour seamer Nitish Reddy over batter Devdutt Padikkal, while Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are likely to lead the spin attack, possibly joined by Washington Sundar or Axar Patel. B Sai Sudharsan is favoured for the No. 3 spot, with KL Rahul, buoyed by an unbeaten 176 for India A, and Yashasvi Jaiswal aiming to maintain their form. Gill, who scored 754 runs in England, seeks to rebound from an inconsistent Asia Cup.

The West Indies, decimated by their record-low 27 all-out against Australia in a day-night Test, face an uphill battle. Injuries to fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph have forced reliance on Jayden Seales and debutant spinner Khary Pierre, alongside Jomel Warrican. The exclusion of Kraigg Brathwaite has led to recalls for Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze to bolster a fragile batting lineup, with captain Joshua Da Silva as the lone right-arm spinner. The visitors’ 2023 India tour ended in a 1-0 series loss, and their current form suggests another tough challenge, particularly against India’s versatile attack on a pace-friendly surface.

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The test’s outcome may hinge less on competition and more on India’s strategic choices, given the gulf in team strength. With Ahmedabad’s pitch offering early seam movement—unlike the 2024 New Zealand series where spin-heavy tactics backfired—India aims to maximise WTC points ahead of three more home Tests. Over 1.5 million fans attended India’s home Tests last season, per BCCI data, and a strong turnout is expected, though light showers may test ground staff efficiency. The West Indies, meanwhile, hope to avoid further embarrassment, banking on resilience to counter India’s relentless home dominance since 2012.

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