WI vs IND: Why is Axar Patel Not Playing India vs West Indies 1st Test? Check IND Playing XI

The important news update coming in is that India are certainly not playing left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel in the first of the two-match Test series against West Indies starting from 12 July, 2023 at the Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica. This opening Test match will also mark the starting of India’s 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Since 2007, the Indian team have managed to beat West Indies in 11 out of the 16 Test matches played between the two teams.

WI vs IND: Why is Axar Patel Not Playing India vs West Indies 1st Test?

Once again, left-arm spinner Axar Patel will be missing out from the India playing 11 for this WI vs IND 1st Test match starting from Wednesday. Indian captain Rohit Sharma stated on the eve of the Test match that they will be playing as many as two spinners in the side while looking at the pitch and conditions in Dominica. Therefore, both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be part of the playing XI while Axar will have to warm the bench as he did in the World Test Championship 2023 final against Australia.

Axar’s exceptional performance, particularly with the bat, in the recent Test series against Australia at home deserves special mention. He amassed a remarkable total of 264 runs in four matches, exhibiting an impressive average of 88. His achievements were even more remarkable considering the challenging conditions he faced, as he managed to score three half-centuries.

IND Playing XI

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Ishan Kishan (WK)
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Shardul Thakur
10. Jaydev Unadkat
11. Mohammed Siraj

WI vs IND 2023 Schedule