After a disappointing end to the 2021-2023 World Test Championship cycle, where India lost in the final to Australia, Rohit Sharma’s team have made a number of key changes to their squad as they embark on the third cycle of the WTC with a tour to the Caribbean. Despite question marks over Rohit’s leadership during the clash with Australia, he manages to hold on to the responsibility but has a new deputy with him. Ajinkya Rahane has been named the vice-captain. India did not have a vice-captain for the last two Australia Tests after KL Rahul was stripped from the role midway through the series. They went in without a vice-captain in the WTC final as well.

The major highlight from the squad announcement is that Cheteshwar Pujara has been dropped, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashaswi Jaiswal have been given maiden call-ups. It is a major hint that the selectors have started phasing out the non-performing seniors as they begin the phase of transition. Pujara averages just under 26 in 2023 in five Tests, scoring 181 with a high score of 59.

Domestic performers have been rewarded for their returns and have been given an opportunity. Jaiswal, who has a first-class average of 80.21 in 15 games, has been given a look-in as has Gaikwad, who has six hundreds and nine fifties in 28 first-class games, at an average of 42.19. However, Sarfaraz Khan continues to waitfor his turn despite being in stunning form in the last few seasons and averaging 79.65.

Mohammed Shami has been rested for the series, with Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar making the team instead. Navdeep Saini, who last played for India in 2021, has also been included.

WI vs IND 2023: Full India Test squad

Batters

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain)

Wicketkeepers

KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan

All-rounders

R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel

Bowlers

Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.