Cricket fans in India and around the world are gearing up for the much-anticipated India vs West Indies Test series in October 2025. This two-match series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle, and forms the opening salvo of India’s 2025 home season.
While two Tests might not be as long as previous multi-match series, there’s plenty riding on this series: pride, momentum, WTC points, and a chance for India to reassert dominance at home. For the West Indies, it is a challenging assignment — the Caribbean side has long struggled in Indian conditions, but will look to spring surprises.
In this post, we will dive deep into the squads, venues, match schedule, broadcast/telecast details, pitch conditions, previews, strengths & weaknesses, and predictions.
Series Schedule & Venues
The series runs from 2nd October to 14th October 2025, with two Tests:
- 1st Test: 2–6 October 2025
- 2nd Test: 10–14 October 2025
Each Test will begin at 9:30 AM local time (India), which is 4:00 AM GMT.
| Test | Dates | Venue | City | Start Time (IST) |
| 1st Test | Oct 2–6, 2025 | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 9:30 AM |
| 2nd Test | Oct 10–14, 2025 | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | 9:30 AM |
This schedule gives a short break between the two Tests, allowing rest, travel (though modest) and preparation.
Venues & Conditions
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
India’s premier cricket stadium, and often used as a fortress, will host the first Test. With world-class facilities and capacity crowds, it’s a fitting venue to open the series.
Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Ferozeshah Kotla), Delhi
The second Test moves to Delhi’s iconic ground. Though smaller in capacity than Ahmedabad, it enjoys a rich Test history and features pitches that can assist both bat and bowlers.
Squads & Key Players of India Vs West Indies Test Series
Selecting a strong squad is critical, especially with workload management and transition in the Indian team. We break down India’s and West Indies’ squads, plus notable selections and absences.
India Squad
The BCCI has named a 15-member squad led by Shubman Gill as captain, with Ravindra Jadeja as vice-captain.
A key change: Rishabh Pant, India’s wicketkeeper-batsman, will miss the series due to a foot injury sustained during the England tour. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel is expected to don the gloves.
Here is the full squad:
India Test Squad (15 members)
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Ravindra Jadeja (vc)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Axar Patel
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- N. Jagadeesan (wk)
Notable omissions / changes
- Karun Nair has been dropped from the squad.
- Rishabh Pant is unavailable due to injury.
- Devdutt Padikkal and Nitish Kumar Reddy have earned recalls.
- Some senior players are being rested as part of workload management (though the core remains).
This squad has a blend of youth and experience, with strong spin cover and a pace battery led by Bumrah, Siraj, Prasidh, and possibly Reddy. The batting order is flexible, with Jaiswal, Gill, Rahul, Sudharsan, Padikkal offering depth.
West Indies Squad
On their side, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 15-member squad for this tough away assignment, led by Roston Chase.
Key compositions and surprises:
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze have been recalled to strengthen the batting lineup.
- Khary Pierre, a left-arm spinner, gets a maiden Test call.
- Shamar Joseph, a promising pacer, has unfortunately been ruled out due to injury sustained during the CPL final.
- They have also excluded Kraigg Brathwaite, who had stepped down as captain.
Here is a likely announced list of the West Indies touring squad:
- Roston Chase (c)
- Jomel Warrican (vc)
- Kevlon Anderson
- Alick Athanaze
- John Campbell
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Justin Greaves
- Shai Hope (wk)
- Tevin Imlach
- Alzarri Joseph
- Brandon King
- Anderson Phillip
- Khary Pierre
- Jayden Seales
Given Shamar Joseph’s absence, West Indies may lean more on Joseph (Alzarri) and Phillip in pace roles. The spin department will be tested, with Warrican and Pierre expected to be key.
Telecast, Streaming & Broadcast Details
For fans who cannot attend matches in the stadium, catching the live action via TV or digital platforms will be crucial. Below are the known telecast and streaming details:
- In India, the Star Sports Network will hold the rights, broadcasting in both English and Hindi.
- The matches will also be live streamed on Jio Hotstar (mobile, tablet, web) for subscribers in India.
- Telecast slots: matches start daily at 9:30 AM IST with coverage running through the day (~5 PM IST approximate).
- For international viewers, broadcast rights will depend on country and regional partners. (Expect ESPN, Willow, Fox Sports, SuperSport etc., depending on region)
- Commentary will likely be in multiple languages, and pre/post match shows, analysis panels, and highlights will complement live coverage.
If you like, I can check the specific telecast partners by country (e.g., USA, UK, Caribbean) and add them here.
Pitch Conditions & Preparation for India Vs West Indies Test Series
Pitch Strategy & Conditions
Ahead of the series, India has been reported to plan “flatter pitches” for the West Indies Tests, favoring bat-friendly surfaces rather than turning tracks.
However, some reports suggest that the red-soil pitches (a common characteristic in certain Indian grounds) may appear greener than usual, giving early seam movement and assistance to pacers.
This mixed condition expectation will influence both team selections and match strategies. Early sessions may favor seamers, while the pitch may flatten out later to let batters assert themselves.
From a tactical perspective, India might want to balance supporting their strong batting line-up while ensuring bowlers get something early on.
Preparation & Team Training
India resumed training almost immediately after finishing Asia Cup commitments. There are also reports of resting a few senior players to manage workload. The quick transition from limited overs to red ball suggests that mental and physical fitness will be tested early.
West Indies, as the touring side, will likely arrive ahead of schedule to get acclimatization, spin practice and pitch reading sessions. Their spin bowlers will especially benefit from early net sessions on Indian tracks.
Schedules, practice matches, and warm-ups will play a key role in acclimatization.
Key Storylines & Match Previews
Here are some of the major storylines, tactical dilemmas, and preview for each Test:
India’s New Leadership & Transition
- Shubman Gill’s captaincy: This is an important series for Gill, establishing his credentials as a leader in Test cricket. He needs to manage a young side while setting the tone in home conditions.
- Workload management: Balancing rest and performance, especially for bowlers like Bumrah and senior players, will be critical.
- Batting solidity: With Pant absent, how Jurel fills the wicketkeeper role and how the lower middle order (Jadeja, Axar) contributes will be under scrutiny.
West Indies’ Challenge & Opportunities
- Adjustment to Indian conditions: The biggest obstacle for WI is adapting to bounce, turn, and long sessions in Indian heat.
- Spin fusion: Can their spin attack (Warrican, Pierre) hold up against Indian batters on home soil?
- Top-order consistency: Chanderpaul, Athanaze, Campbell need to provide strong starts.
Tactical Dilemmas
- Should India go with three or four pace bowlers? Early green conditions might favor a pace-heavy start.
- How much will spin play a role? Indian spin resources (Jadeja, Sundar, Kuldeep, Axar) are deep.
- In which match should India experiment or rest certain players (e.g. Bumrah)?
- For West Indies, whether to push full strength or back some players for adaptation is a fine balance.
Test-by-Test Preview of India Vs West Indies Test Series
1st Test (Ahmedabad)
Ahmedabad often sees lively surfaces with decent carry. The pitch may have initial seam movement, so the toss becomes important. A strong first innings could be decisive.
India will look to assert themselves early, with openers setting the platform. West Indies must aim for parity in the first session to stay in the contest.
Once spin sets in, Indian spinners may dominate the latter sessions.
If India can get a lead of 200+ with a lead start, they could bowl out WI cheaply and chase or bat deep.
2nd Test (Delhi)
Delhi can be trickier — sometimes more balanced, offering assistance to both bowlers and batters. Bounce is expected, and the pitch might assist seamers early and then flatten out.
If the series is poised 1–0 after Ahmedabad, the Delhi Test becomes crucial for results. A dominant Indian performance could seal the series; a resilient WI show could level things.
Delhi’s crowd and local conditions might bring a different complexion compared to Ahmedabad.
Strengths, Weaknesses & Matchups
India
Strengths
- Deep spin bench: With Jadeja, Kuldeep, Axar, Sundar, India has multiple spin options.
- Strong batting depth: From Jaiswal to Rahul to Sudharsan and the lower order, India has batting covering different styles.
- Home advantage: Familiar conditions, crowd support, and pitch preparation control.
- Pace spearhead: Bumrah remains India’s trump card in pace.
Weaknesses / Risks
- Wicketkeeper uncertainty: Jurel replacing Pant could be a pressure point.
- Injury risk and workload: With a packed schedule, fitness management is crucial.
- Overconfidence: West Indies are underdogs — complacency must not creep in.
West Indies
Strengths
- Experienced leaders: Chase’s leadership, Warrican’s spin, and some batters have limited but useful experience.
- Surprise factor: Underestimation by India might open up chances.
- Fighting spirit: Historically, away tours bring unpredictable results in patches.
Weaknesses / Challenges
- Weakness against spin: West Indies historically struggle vs high-quality spin in India.
- Pace sustainability: WI pace attack may struggle on flatter Indian surfaces.
- Adaptation to conditions: Bounce, heat, humidity, pitch variations will test them.
Key Matchups
- India spinners vs WI batters: How well do Chanderpaul, Campbell, Athanaze play spin?
- Bumrah / Siraj vs West Indies top order in early sessions.
- Jurel’s glovework + batting under pressure.
- Middle-order resilience on both sides.
Predictions & Outlook
Given India’s form, depth, and home conditions, they go into the series as firm favorites. A 2–0 series win is within reach if the team executes well. However, West Indies cannot be dismissed — surprises are possible, especially if India falters early in either match or over-relies on a few players.
Points in the WTC will matter. For India, margin of wins and bonus points (if any) will influence their standing early in the cycle.
From a fan’s perspective, the series gives a preview of India’s evolving Test structure, leadership under Gill, and how new players consolidate their place.
For West Indies, while a series win looks difficult, they can use this as a developmental tour, exposing players to tough conditions and building patience and grit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When & where will the India vs West Indies 2025 Test Series matches be played?
The series comprises two Tests:
- 1st Test: 2–6 October 2025 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- 2nd Test: 10–14 October 2025 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Each match begins at 9:30 AM IST (04:00 GMT) daily.
Which players are in the India and West Indies Test squads?
India’s 15-member squad includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), N. Jagadeesan (wk), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
West Indies’ squad includes: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, and Jayden Seales.
Notable updates / changes:
- Rishabh Pant is unavailable due to a foot injury; Dhruv Jurel is expected to take wicketkeeping duties.
- Karun Nair has been left out.
- West Indies’ pacer Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out due to a recurrence of a back injury.
How can fans watch the series live (TV & streaming)?
- In India, the matches will be telecast on Star Sports Network in multiple languages (English, Hindi).
- The digital streaming platform in India is JioHotstar (via app or web).
- For international viewers, broadcasting rights vary by region. Some known broadcasters likely include Willow TV (USA), SuperSport (Africa), Fox Sports / local partners in Australia, TNT Sports / Discovery+ (UK) etc.
If you tell me your country / city, I can find the exact channel for you.
What time do the matches start (in local time and other zones)?
Matches start 9:30 AM IST in India.
In GMT / UTC, that is 04:00 AM local time (GMT).
Typical session times in India are: Start at 9:30 AM, Lunch ~ 11:30–12:10, Tea ~ 14:10–14:30, close ~ 16:30 local time.
Is this series part of the World Test Championship (WTC)?
Yes — the India vs West Indies 2025 Test series is part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Each match and potential result contributes points (or percentage of points) toward WTC standings.
What is the key pitch / condition expectations and how might they influence the series?
- Reports suggest India may prepare “flatter” pitches for this series, to favor batting and offer more balanced contests.
- However, the red-soil pitches in India may show more green or seam grass than usual in early sessions, offering movement to pace bowlers.
- West Indies’ spin bowlers (e.g. Warrican, Khary Pierre) will hope for turn later in the innings.
- The toss might gain importance due to early movement, and team selection (how many seamers vs spinners) could be decisive.
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