India's cricket team has suffered a significant setback as Rishabh Pant is reportedly set to miss the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. The series is scheduled to begin on October 2 in Ahmedabad.

Pant's absence is due to a toe fracture he sustained during the Test series in England in July 2025. Despite the injury occurring some time ago, he has not yet fully recovered and is still undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. It is expected that he will need another three to four weeks to be match-fit. While Pant is expected to miss the West Indies series, there is optimism that he will be fit for the home series against South Africa in November.

The two-match Test series against the West Indies is part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle. The first Test will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from October 2-6, and the second Test will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi from October 10-14.

In Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel is likely to take over the wicketkeeping duties, with Narayan Jagadeesan as a backup option. The All India Men's Senior Selection Committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is scheduled to meet on September 23 or 24 to select the 15-man squad for the West Indies series. Shubman Gill is expected to captain the Indian side. KL Rahul is likely to be named as Gill's deputy.

The likely replacements for Pant are Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan. Jurel has recently displayed good form, including a century in the first unofficial Test against Australia A.

The West Indies squad includes Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze. Khary Pierre has been included as a second spinner. Gudakesh Motie has been rested. Roston Chase will captain the West Indies team.

India's predicted squad includes Yashasvi Jaiswal and K.L. Rahul as openers, followed by Sai Sudharsan at No. 3, and Shubman Gill. Shreyas Iyer is expected to make a comeback to Test cricket. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are also set to retain their places. Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead the pace attack.