Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Cheteshwar Pujara were left off of Team India’s roster for the two-match Test series against the West Indies that begins on July 12. While Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar received his first India call-up, Jaydev Unadkat kept his place. Navdeep Saini was also added to the team in the most extensive manner.

The team is mostly the same, with the core consisting of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, and Axar Patel, despite the addition of some inexperienced players for the two games.

Sunil Gavaskar, a former captain of India, believes that Team India squandered a “wonderful opportunity” by not giving more young people a chance for the Test matches against the West Indies. The seasoned cricketer stated that players who are guaranteed to play in this year’s ODI World Cup in October and November should have concentrated entirely on playing white-ball cricket up to that point.

“There is no longer a World Test Championship. Over there, we were left out. The (ODI) World Cup is the next big event, therefore I would have preferred for the big boys to be given a total sabbatical from Test cricket. Now, focus just on the red-ball cricket and ignore the white-ball cricket. Give those who will undoubtedly compete in the World Cup a full break. For three to four months, they have been playing nonstop cricket. On Sports Today, Gavaskar observed, “They hardly had a break.

“Indian cricket would have benefited greatly had they provided breaks to all of the older players and played a few more junior guys. But regrettably, it hasn’t happened. I believe a great chance was lost,” he continued.

The West Indies series begins a new chapter for the Indian team, as they prepare to go the distance in the WTC 2023-25 cycle.