India Test squad: Bumrah may play, surprise spinner in mix and Iyer may miss out due to BCCI letter

Jasprit Bumrah could very well be a part of India’s Test squad for the two-match series against West Indies, which starts on 2 October, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, only four days after the Asia Cup 2025 final. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer is set to lose out on a spot due to a letter to BCCI and spinner Manav Suthar is likely to earn a call-up.

Many expected Bumrah to be given a break during the West Indies series if India reach the Asia Cup 2025 final, which will be played on 28 September in Dubai, or at least from the first Test. However, it has emerged that the senior pacer has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he is willing to play the two Tests, as reported by the Indian Express.

Bumrah ready to play vs Windies, Suthar can be picked

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also spoke on similar lines during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday in Dubai, ahead of the Bangladesh game. “It is unlikely that Bumrah will be rested. He is set to play the West Indies Tests. We’ve got important matches coming up, and it’s good for him to keep playing and get more match time,” Ten Doeschate said.

The BCCI selection panel, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday afternoon to select the 15-member Indian Test squad for the two-match Test series against England.

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Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar from Rajasthan is also expected to be picked, as per the Indian Express, which means Axar Patel may miss out. The West Indies series will be the first Test assignment at home since the retirement of R Ashwin and the BCCI would hope to blood in a new spinner. Suthar took a five-for on Tuesday against Australia A in the second Unofficial Test match.

Iyer out of Test team contention

Ravindra Jadeja, who had a fabulous England Test series, is also expected to be picked alongside Washington Sundar.

However, Iyer is set to miss out after pulling out of the India A vs Australia A second Unofficial Test in Kanpur. Due to his last-minute withdrawal, India A were forced to pick Dhruv Jurel as the captain. However, it’s not his withdrawal that is set to harm Iyer, but his letter to BCCI in which he has asked for a break from red-ball cricket due to back issues.

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This has put him out of contention, making Devdutt Padikkal the favourite to replace Karun Nair in the Test squad. Nair is reportedly set to lose his spot after a subdued England tour on his return.