India Begins Home Test Season Dominantly Against West Indies
India’s cricket season at home has kicked off on a positive note with the opening Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad starting October 2, 2025. The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, with the second Test scheduled from October 10 to 14 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Day 1 Highlights: India in Control After Bowling Out West Indies for 162
Despite losing the toss, India’s bowling attack shone brightly on a greenish tomb pitch which offered movement to seamers. West Indies, opting to bat first, collapsed to a modest total of 162 in just 44.1 overs, thanks to incisive spells from India’s Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
Mohammed Siraj was the standout, claiming 4 wickets for 40 runs, exploiting late swing and seam movement.
Jasprit Bumrah supported well with 3 wickets for 42 runs.
Kuldeep Yadav picked up 2 wickets, while Washington Sundar chipped in with 1.
The highest West Indies scorer was Justin Greaves with 32 runs, as others struggled against disciplined bowling and poor shot selection.
India’s Solid Reply
In their response, India’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) and KL Rahul (53 not out) laid a strong foundation with a 68-run opening partnership. After Jaiswal’s dismissal, Sai Sudharsan fell cheaply for 7, but KL Rahul, showcasing great composure, was unbeaten at stumps, guiding India to 121 for 2. Shubman Gill was also not out on 18, with India trailing by 41 runs but holding eight wickets in hand.
India’s batting reflected confidence on the pitch, which started green but gradually eased into a good batting surface offering bounce and carry throughout.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium provides early assistance to the seam bowling unit with its green hue and consistent bounce. It promises a balanced contest favouring bowlers in the initial sessions, while the surface is expected to flatten out, aiding stroke-play as the match progresses.
Upcoming Fixtures
2nd Test: October 10-14, 2025, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Future Engagements for India’s Men’s Cricket Team
India Tour of Australia: Starting October 18, 2025, with 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is across multiple venues, including Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne.
South Africa Tour of India: November to December 2025, featuring 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is at venues like Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Barsapara Stadium (Guwahati), Ranchi, and Dharamsala.
Broadcast Information
All matches in the West Indies series are being broadcast live in India on JioHotstar starting 9:30 AM.
