IND vs WI 2025: Brathwaite omitted, Chanderpaul and Athanaze recalled for India Tests

IND vs WI 2025: Brathwaite omitted, Chanderpaul and Athanaze recalled for India Tests. (Photo source: Getty Images)

West Indies have left out former captain Kraigg Brathwaite from their 15-member squad for the upcoming Test series in India. The selectors have recalled Alick Athanaze and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, bolstering a batting unit picked for its ability to handle spin.

Brathwaite, who lost his place in the XI during the final Test against Australia earlier this year, misses out along with Keacy Carty, Johann Layne and Mikyle Louis. The squad also features left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who is yet to make his Test debut. Pierre joins vice-captain Jomel Warrican, a consistent performer in the West Indies Championship with 41 wickets at an impressive average of 13.56, as the second specialist spinner.

"The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help transform our fortunes at the top of the order given the recent struggles, with Alick Athanaze being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling. Khary is included for the first time as our second spinner in what we expect to be helpful conditions,” said head coach, Daren Sammy as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Athanaze last featured in red-ball cricket in the subcontinent against Pakistan in January, while Chanderpaul, who played his most recent Test on the 2024 tour of Australia, is expected to partner John Campbell at the top of the order. Kevlon Anderson, with a strong first-class average of 42.05, keeps his place in the squad.

The batting group also includes captain Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach and Brandon King. The spin department will be led by Warrican, Pierre and Chase, while the pace attack features Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales.

The squad departs the Caribbean on September 22 and is scheduled to arrive in Ahmedabad on September 24, with the first Test set to commence from October 2. Chase, Hope, Alzarri and Warrican are the only four players from the side that last toured India in 2018-19.

With a busy schedule ahead, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has been rested. West Indies will play three T20Is against Nepal later this month, followed by two Tests in India. They then travel to Bangladesh in October-November for a white-ball series before concluding the year with an all-format tour of New Zealand from November 5 to December 22, comprising five T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests.

West Indies Test squad for India Tests

Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Khary Pierre, Jomel Warrican, John Campbell, Kevlon Anderson, Roston Chase (Captain), Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales