IND vs WI: Wasim Jaffer Picks His India XI For First Test, Snubs KS Bharat, Shardul Thakur

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer shared his India XI for the first Test against West Indies. The Test match will be played from July 12-16. Team India are the top-ranked Test side heading into the series while West Indies is placed eighth.

Jaffer shared a tweet in which he listed his playing XI for the first Test. He opened with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Indian skipper Rohit had already confirmed in the pre-match presser that Jaiswal will open the batting in the first Test and Shubman Gill will bat at number three.

My India XI for first Test:

1. Rohit (c)
2. Jaiswal
3. Gill
4. Kohli
5. Ajinkya
6. Ishan (wk)
7. Jadeja
8. Ashwin
9. Unadkat
10. Siraj
11. Mukesh

What’s yours? #WIvIND

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 12, 2023

Rohit Sharma Confirms Yashasvi Jaiswal Will Open The Batting, Shubman Gill Will Bat At Three

“As far as batting positions are concerned, Gill will bat at No. 3 as He wanted to bat at the spot. He had discussion with Rahul bhai that he has played all his cricket at No. 3 and No. 4 and can contribute better for the team from No. 3. For us, it’s also better since we get left-right combo. This is what we are trying and hopefully, this becomes a long-term thing as we have been desperate for a left-hander. Let’s hope he performs really well and makes that spot his own,” Rohit said at the pre-match presser.

Jaffer decided to go with Gill at three, Virat Kohli at four, and Ajinkya Rahane at five. Rahane found a new life in Test cricket after he was recalled back into the India XI. He scored 89 and 46 in the WTC final which elevated him as the vice-captain of the side.

Also Read: IND vs WI: ” I Got Goosebumps” – Yashasvi Jaiswal Recalls Meeting MS Dhoni For The First Time

The former Indian opener decided to go with Ishan Kishan at six. Jaffer decided to choose him over KS Bharat who played the WTC final. If Kishan plays, it will be his Test debut for India. Jaffer decided to go with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as his two specialist spinners dropping Axar Patel.

He finally chose his group of bowlers for the first Test. Jaffer decided to go with Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mukesh Kumar as his three specialist seamers. Along with Ashwin and Jadeja, they complete a five-man bowling attack.

Among the players, Jaffer snubbed from the playing XI include Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, KS Bharat, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Navdeep Saini.

Also Read: IND vs WI: West Indies’ Playing XI For India, 1st Test- India Tour Of West Indies 2023

Wasim Jaffer’s India XI For First Test Against West Indies

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd Siraj, Mukesh Kumar

Also Read: IND vs WI: “Indian Cricket Desperately Needed A Left-Hander”- Rohit Sharma On Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Selection For West Indies Test Series

Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah