7 Players Dropped from India’s Squad for West Indies Series After England Tour!

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies, beginning on October 2. The selection created a buzz as seven players who were part of the four-Test tour of England were left out. These decisions were made on a combination of players performance, team balance, fitness issues and the need for players to be given match practice in domestic tournaments. 

7. Arshdeep Singh 

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has been on the radar for some time. He was part of the England Test squad as a reserve but did not play. Instead of keeping him in the Test set-up for the West Indies series, the selectors have assigned him to India A. He will play in the one-day series against Australia A, which reflects the management’s view that he is better suited to limited-overs cricket at this stage. 

6. Akash Deep 

Akash Deep, was a part of the India’s squad for the 5th Test at the Oval, he made some amazing contributions. Due to injury and workload management he wasn’t selected for the upcoming Test series against West Indies. Aksashdeep also missed the Duleep Trophy due to injury. The selectors wanted to give him some time to recover. Management is prioritizing his fitness for games ahead. He will instead play for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup to test his match fitness. 

5. Anshul Kamboj 

Young pacer Anshul Kamboj did make his Test debut for India against England, he played in the fourth match of the 2025 series at Old Trafford in Manchester. He was added to the squad as a replacement. He struggled to make an impact in the match. For the West Indies series, the selectors have left him out of the main team and sent him to play in domestic cricket. He will be playing for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup, where he will gain valuable exposure in red-ball cricket. 

4. Abhimanyu Easwaran 

Abhimanyu Easwaran has often been part of Indian squads as a backup opener but has rarely received an opportunity to play. In England, he remained on the bench throughout the four-Test series. Rather than keeping him out of action again, the selectors have released him to play domestic cricket. He will represent the Rest of India side in the Irani Cup, where strong performances could keep him in contention for future Test tours. 

Also read: India Announces Full Squad for Upcoming Test Series Against West Indies; Complete List Inside

3. Rishabh Pant

The biggest name missing from the squad is wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. He played in the England series but fractured his foot during the fourth Test in Manchester. The injury has sidelined him, and he is now recovering at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Currently Pant’s main focus is on full recovery, India will miss his match-winning ability. No official timeline has been given by selectors for his return. However, they are expected to monitor him closely ahead for future assignments. 

2. Shardul Thakur 

Shardul Thakur was part of India’s squad in the test series against England. He did get a chance to play in two matches but his performance was kind of underwhelming. Shardul did score some runs for the team but could only take 2 wickets throughout the series. With conditions at home generally spin-friendly, the selectors chose not to retain him in the squad. 

1. Karun Nair 

Karun Nair’s return to Test cricket after eight years was one of the most talked-about stories of the England series. He played four Tests and scored 205 runs at an average of 25.62, with his highest being 57 at The Oval. Though his performance was not good enough for selectors, they didn’t select him. India has turned towards young batting options at home conditions, Devdutt Padikkal has been named in the squad. For Nair, the message is clear: he needs to score big runs to force his way back. 

Why the Changes Were Made 

• Performance Standards – Players like Karun Nair were judged on output. Starts are not enough; big scores are expected at the highest level. 

• Injury and Fitness – Pant’s exclusion is purely due to injury, highlighting the importance of player fitness in squad planning. 

• Match Practice – Reserves such as Easwaran, need regular cricket. Playing in domestic tournaments like the Irani Cup keeps them sharp. 

• Team Balance for Home Conditions – India’s home pitches generally aid spinners, so fast-bowling all-rounders like Thakur are not always required. 

• Long-Term Development – Assignments with India A or domestic sides are part of a broader vision to groom talent and maintain bench strength. 

Conclusion 

Seven players who were part of India’s Test squad in England, Karun Nair, Shardul Thakur, Rishabh Pant, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh, have not been included for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. The reasons

vary from poor form and lack of opportunities to injury and strategic planning. Rather than a closed door, the omissions highlight India’s approach of rewarding form, managing fitness, and ensuring that players stay match-ready through domestic and India A assignments. 

This reflects the depth of Indian cricket: competition is fierce, opportunities are precious, and every player must make the most of the chances they receive. 

Written by Kinjal Walantra

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