IND vs WI 2025: Top 3 player battles to watch out for in 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.

With a hard-fought 2-2 series draw against England in the five-Test series, India began its WTC 2025–27 cycle on a positive note and will look to clinch some points at home. Following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, as well as under new skipper Shubman Gill, India put up a strong fight in their opening series. 

With a 0-3 series loss to Australia, including being all-out for 27 in the final Test, the West Indies have had a forgettable start to their new WTC cycle under new skipper Roston Chase. The West Indies, who haven’t lost a Test series in India since 1994–1995, will be hoping for a strong showing.

Here are the top 3 player battles to watch out for in the first Test of IND vs. WI 2025:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Jayden Seales

Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored 2209 runs with an average of 50.20 in 24 tests, including six centuries and 12 half-centuries, with the highest score of 214*. He was in good form against England, scoring two centuries. He has the technique to dominate both the pace and the spin, and it will be a task for the West Indies to keep Jaiswal quiet.

West Indies might counter Jaiswal with the best pacer they have available in Jayden Seales. Seales has taken 88 wickets at an average of 22.32 in 21 Tests with the best bowling figures of 6/61. Seales was on fire against Australia at home, taking a fifer in the first Test in Bridgetown. His pace and bounce might trouble Jaiswal.

2. Shubman Gill vs Roston Chase

Shubman Gill was in red-hot form in his first outing as India Test captain, scoring more than 700 runs in five Tests, including four centuries and a best score of 269. Gill has scored 2647 runs at an average of 41.35 in 37 Tests, including nine centuries and seven fifties. He has made the no. 4 spot his own after the retirement of Virat Kohli, and it will be a task for the West Indies to dismiss him.

It might be a battle of captain vs captain, as Roston Chase might bring himself on when Shubman Gill comes to the crease. Chase is a tall player and could use his height to his advantage to get bounce and trap Gill. Chase has scored 2379 runs at an average of 25.85 and taken 86 wickets at an average of 46.27 in 52 Tests, including five centuries, 11 fifties, and four fifers, including the best score of 137* and best bowling figures of 8/60.

3. Shai Hope vs Ravindra Jadeja

Shai Hope is the ODI captain of the West Indies and is expected to keep wicket for the team. Hope has scored 1839 runs with an average of 24.52 in 41 Tests, including two centuries and five fifties, with the highest score of 147. He has good technique and has scored runs in the IPL while playing in India. Hope bats well against spin, and India might bring on their best spinner against him.

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. Jadeja is unplayable in Indian conditions, and with no Ravichandran Ashwin for company, the onus will be on him to lead the Indian spin attack and get Shai Hope early.