Overview

• India named a 15-player Test squad for the home series against West Indies starting October 2 in Ahmedabad, confirming Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion and Axar Patel’s return.
• Irfan Pathan argued the team should have rested Bumrah to blood a young fast bowler, saying India needs a larger pool of eight quality pacers.
• Bumrah featured in only three of five Tests on the England tour and returned his worst Test figures in Manchester, then played through the Asia Cup with a short turnaround before the West Indies series.
• Pathan welcomed Axar’s recall for the batting depth he offers alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
• With Ravichandran Ashwin retired, Pathan questioned who fills his role, pointing to Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar or Axar Patel as options and cautioning Kuldeep’s place is not guaranteed.