New Delhi — India’s cricket team is set to host West Indies for a two-Test series starting Thursday in Ahmedabad, following the Caribbean side’s 0‑3 whitewash at home against Australia. Ahead of the first Test, India’s captain Shubman Gill emphasized the importance of playing competitive cricket and winning the series.
Gill told reporters on Wednesday, “Winning this two-Test series against West Indies is very important for us. We want to play hard-fought, competitive cricket. In recent years, Test matches rarely lasted all five days, but we aim to play five days of high-quality cricket. You can expect us to give our best without taking the easy way out. Our team has the talent to dominate any situation and bounce back, and we want to showcase that.”
When asked about pitch conditions, Gill said India aims to prepare surfaces that are fair to both batsmen and bowlers. “I can’t comment on discussions before our arrival, but we would like pitches that help both sides. At the same time, any visiting team to India faces challenges like quality spin and reverse swing. Teams that handle spin well and counter reverse swing can succeed in India,” he added.
The Ahmedabad pitch has appeared greener than expected. Regarding team selection, Gill said, “We can’t apply the same strategy used in England here. We have high-quality players, and sometimes choices need to be made based on who can provide an extra advantage. Bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav, who didn’t get a Test in England despite being a strong performer in all formats, will have opportunities in India. With four excellent spinners available, the focus is on strengthening batting and considering the best combinations.”
Gill also addressed workload management, particularly for pacer Jasprit Bumrah. “Nothing is pre-decided regarding Bumrah. Decisions will be match-by-match, considering how long the Test goes and how many overs he can bowl. After the match, we will assess his condition. For batsmen, fatigue is more mental, but for bowlers it’s different. I feel fresh and will plan my workload accordingly,” he said.
The two-Test series promises to be competitive, with India looking to assert dominance at home while West Indies seek to recover from their recent losses and test their adaptability on Indian pitches.
