IND vs WI 2025: Predicting India XI for first Test

India and the West Indies will clash in the first test of the two-Test series from October 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and it is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.

India started their WTC 2025-27 cycle with a well-fought 2-2 series draw against England in the five-Test series. India fought well in their first series after the retirements of R Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, and under new captain Shubman Gill. Gill will expect to make the best of the home season with the WTC points on his mind.

Here is the predicted India XI for the first Test of IND vs WI 2025:

Top Order: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are expected to open the innings for India, with Sai Sudharsan coming in at the no. 3 spot. Jaiswal has been in good form with two centuries in the England series. Overall, Jaiswal has scored 2209 runs at an average of 50.20 in 24 tests, including six centuries and 12 half-centuries, with the highest score of 214*. 

KL Rahul is now one of the most senior players in the Indian XI. He has scored 3789 runs at an average of 35.41 in 63 tests, including 10 centuries and 19 fifties, with the highest score of 199. Sai Sudharsan impressed in his first outing in Tests and has scored 140 runs at an average of 23.33 in three Tests, including one fifty and the highest score of 61.

Middle Order: Shubman Gill (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK)

Shubman Gill had a bumper outing in England with four centuries in his first appearance as India’s Test captain. Overall, Gill has scored 2647 runs at an average of 41.35 in 37 Tests, including nine centuries and seven fifties, including the highest score of 269. 

Devdutt Padikkal will helm the middle-order spot. He has made 90 runs at an average of 30 in two Tests, including one fifty. Dhruv Jurel will keep wicket in the absence of Rishabh Pant. He has scored 255 runs at an average of 36.42 in five Tests, including one fifty.

Lower Order: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar

Ravindra Jadeja is the vice-captain of India for this series. He has scored 3886 runs at an average of 37.72 and has taken 330 wickets at an economy of 2.57 in 85 tests, including five hundreds and 15 five-wicket hauls. His highest test score is 175*, and his best bowling figures are 7/42. 

Washington Sundar has been a blessing for the Indian team. He has scored 752 runs at an average of 44.23 and taken 32 wickets, including one century, five fifties, and one five-wicket haul.

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav

Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian pace attack. He has taken 219 wickets at an economy of 2.78 in 48 Tests, including 15 five-wicket hauls, with the best bowling figures of 6/27. 

Mohammed Siraj has taken 123 wickets at an economy of 3.57 in 41 Tests, including five fifers and best bowling figures of 6/15. 

Given West Indies batters’ troubles against spin, Kuldeep Yadav might be chosen as the third spinner. He has 56 wickets at an economy of 3.55 in 13 tests, with the best bowling figures of 5/40.