Kuldeep Yadav to be snubbed from India XI in 1st Test vs West Indies? Shubman Gill reveals

After being benched for the entire stretch of the India vs England Test series, uncertainty looms further over Kuldeep Yadav's spot in the Indian Test XI for the West Indies home series. Will Kuldeep's Asia Cup heroics go in vain under Gautam Gambhir's strategy to prioritize batting depth over team balance?

The India vs West Indies Test series will begin tomorrow at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and as per the latest reports, a green track is expected to be prepared with not much help for spinners. Since Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar provide batting equivalents, they are expected to be part of Gambhir's XI.

Moreover, India has also recalled all-rounder spinner Axar Patel, who missed the last few Test series. His return might pose a further pause on Kuldeep Yadav's career as a spinner in the Indian Test side.

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Kuldeep Yadav to be snubbed? Shubman Gill reveals

The Tests will be played under subcontinent conditions, which marks a huge boost for Kuldeep Yadav. He was picked and then benched for the entire India vs England series, which led to immense criticism for the Indian head coach.

However, this series against the West Indies might facilitate India going in with three spinners, which might give Kuldeep a chance, especially after his captivating show in the recently concluded Asia Cup.

However, Revsportz has reported Shubman Gill avoiding the question on Kuldeep Yadav playing the first Test with a quirky statement, "We will decide on our playing XI tomorrow."

Gill on whether Kuldeep Yadav would play: We will decide on our playing XI tomorrow. #INDvWI

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 1, 2025

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Kuldeep Yadav skipped the optional Practice session on Tuesday

The Indian players who were part of the Asia Cup campaign, like Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, were known to have returned early morning to Ahmedabad and checked into their hotels at around 3:30 AM.

The Indian management had hence made the session optional for the players returning from the Asia Cup; however, captain Shubman Gill was seen working hard at the nets. The likes of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah decided to opt out of the session.

Kuldeep played all games for India in the Asia Cup and went on to pick 17 wickets in the 7 games with a remarkable strike rate. He also picked up two four-wicket hauls in the tournament.

Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan: Fight begins for India's no. 3 spot

The RCB batter Devdutt Padikkal and Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan were both part of India A's Test XI in the recent series against Australia A. The series was won by India A, and both players performed very well in the series.

While Padikkal's mammoth 150 came in the first innings of the First Test, Sudharsan was furthermore consistent with two 70+ scores in the first and second tests, as well as a match-winning hundred during India A's record chase in the second innings of the second Test at Lucknow.

Either of these two has been considered as India's next no. 3, and with likely the first Test to be played against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Sudharsan might have an upper hand, considering his immense experience on this ground and the amount of runs he has scored here for the Titans.