IND vs WI: Why is Mukesh Kumar Not Playing West Indies vs India 1st Test? Check India Playing XI

29-year-old fast bowler Mukesh Kumar will have to wait for some more time to make his India Test debut as he is not playing in the first of the two Test matches against West Indies taking place at the Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica. India will be playing their first Test match since the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023 loss at the hands of Australia. This will also be the start of the 2023-2025 WTC Cycle for the India after they managed to qualify for the finals twice in as many years.

IND vs WI: Why is Mukesh Kumar Not Playing West Indies vs India 1st Test?

During the toss, it was revealed that pacer Mukesh Kumar is not part of the India playing XI for the WI vs IND 1st Test match. The visiting Indian team are playing as many as three fast bowlers in Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur alongside the experienced spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. In his domestic career so far, Mukesh has picked up a total of 149 wickets from as many as 39 First-class matches at an average of 21.55. He did really well with the ball during the recently concluded domestic season, however, he will have to warm the bench in this game.

“We have been here for a while, played a practice game in Barbados, here in Dominica for the last 4 days, rain did have a say, but we’re well prepared. The championship cycle final is two years away, but we’ve been consistent over the last couple of cycles. New guys in the squad, we just want to keep better as a team. I want the two debutants to enjoy, they’ve worked hard to come here, I want to make them feel comfortable and have some good memories of their first Test,” said India captain Rohit Sharma during the toss.

India Playing XI

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Ishan Kishan (WK)
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Shardul Thakur
10. Jaydev Unadkat
11. Mohammed Siraj

WI vs IND 2023 Schedule