IND vs WI 2025: Why is Axar Patel not playing first Test?

Published - 02 Oct 2025, 09:11 IST | Updated - 02 Oct 2025, 09:39 IST

Axar Patel did not make it to India's playing XI in the first Test of the two-match series against West Indies at Ahmedabad. The left-arm allrounder, who has been a regular presence in India’s home Tests in recent years, did not cut as the team management opted for a different balance in their bowling unit.

On the green surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium, India decided to go in with three spin options, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav. Both Jadeja and Sundar are set to provide depth with the bat, giving Shubman Gill’s team more flexibility in the middle order. Kuldeep was recalled after warming the bench for most of the England tour and brings wrist-spin variety. Alongside them, India has two frontline seamers in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, with Nitish Kumar Reddy, returning from injury, providing the additional fast-bowling option as an allrounder.

The coin flip at Narendra Modi Stadium went in favour of the West Indies, who won the toss and opted to bat first. The Caribbean team, which is visiting India for a Test series after a seven-year hiatus, is fielding two seamers, two spinners, and an all-rounder. Notably, pacer Johann Layne and spinner Khary Pierre were handed their debut caps. Meanwhile, for India,  spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel was missing from the playing XI. The hosts opted for three spin bowling options, two seaming options, and one fast-bowling option in terms of Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Axar, who was part of India's victorious Asia Cup campaign, couldn't make it to the XI, as vice-captain Jadeja, Sundar, and Kuldeep were shortlisted. Axar, who has represented India in the red-ball format in 14 games so far, will have to wait for his turn. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishn, who featured in three Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, was also missing from the playing XI.

We have got four Tests (at home) before the end of the year and we would like to win all four. Preparation has been good. Everyone is in great touch, it is about getting into the red-ball mindset. It looks like a very good surface. Not disappointed with losing the toss, it has been under covers and there might be some help early on. We have two seamers - Bumrah and Siraj, three spinners - Jaddu Bhai, Washington and Kuldeep, and allrounder Nitish Reddy.

We are going to bat first. Looks a good one. There will be a bit of moisture, it is Test cricket and we will have to handle that first couple of hours. It is a young side, we want to come out and play some good cricket. We don't want to be batting last on this wicket as we know it will turn. We have gone with two seamers, two spinners and an allrounder.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

West Indies: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope(w), Roston Chase(c), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales