Overview

• Shubman Gill said the team is tempted to field a third seamer on a grassy red-soil surface, with the final XI to be confirmed on match day.
• Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel skipped the first full training session for workload management, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled extended spells.
• Selection calls include whether Bumrah plays, an extra batter versus seam-bowling all-rounder slot (Devdutt Padikkal vs Nitish Kumar Reddy), and spin options among Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep and Axar.
• West Indies arrive weakened after injuries to Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, drafting uncapped quicks Johann Layne and Jediah Blades into an inexperienced attack led by Jayden Seales.
• World Test Championship points are at stake, with India sitting third entering their first home Tests of the cycle and the series opener scheduled for Oct. 2 at Narendra Modi Stadium.