IND vs WI 2025: Alzarri Joseph ruled out, Jediah Blades drafted in for Test series

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been excluded from the next two-match Test series against India because of a lower back injury. The series is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, and the series will start on October 2 with the first match of the series to be held at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in the Ahmedabad city. 

Joseph reported discomfort, and scans identified degeneration of a previously settled lower back problem. Left-arm pacer Jediah Blades has been brought in as cover for the two Tests. Blades, who is playing against Nepal currently for a three-match T20I series, which Nepal is leading 1-0, has already played for West Indies in white-ball cricket and is now likely to make his red-ball debut against India. 

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder refused to be in the running as a replacement for Joseph because he is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure. The Caribbean team has already suffered another blow as Shamar Joseph, the fast bowler, has also been ruled out of action with an unannounced injury. Johann Layne, a 22-year-old all-rounder, has been included in the team in his stead. 

Shamar was to lead the pace attack in India, but his non-availability compelled the visiting team to rethink their bowling approach. Cricket West Indies assured that he will continue to be assessed and is likely to be available for the upcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, commencing October 18 with three ODIs and then three T20Is. 

In the meantime, the West Indies team landed in India on Wednesday morning and will start preparing with a practice session in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The first Test is on October 2 in Ahmedabad, with the second on New Delhi. These injury setbacks are a challenge for the visitors, but the presence of younger players presents an option to try bench strength before the WTC campaign.

West Indies squad for Test series vs India

Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Jediah Blades, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales