Ravindra Jadeja has expressed his gratitude and surprise after being named the vice-captain of the Indian Test team for the upcoming two-match series against the West Indies. This marks the first time in his 13-year Test career that the 36-year-old all-rounder has been appointed to the position. Jadeja, who has previously served as vice-captain in ODI and T20I formats, acknowledged the respect shown by the team management in entrusting him with this added responsibility.
The decision to name Jadeja as vice-captain comes in the wake of Rishabh Pant's continued recovery from a foot fracture. Pant, who served as the vice-captain during India's tour of England, has not yet regained full fitness, paving the way for Jadeja to step into the role. According to chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Pant is expected to be fully fit for the South Africa series.
Jadeja revealed that he was informed of his appointment as vice-captain when the team was announced. "They didn't say anything to me. I just saw VC written next to my name when the team was announced," he stated. Despite the lack of a formal briefing, Jadeja expressed his happiness and willingness to contribute to the team's planning and strategy. "It's very special for me as a player. They gave me respect because the management, captain, and coach have decided to give me some extra responsibility. I am very happy to do it and whenever the team needed my experience and needed me to say anything regarding planning, I am always happy to do it," he said.
Jadeja's elevation to vice-captain is a testament to his invaluable contributions to the Indian Test team over the past decade. With 3,886 runs and 330 wickets in 85 Test matches, he has established himself as a premier all-rounder in the world. His recent performances, particularly during the tour of England where he scored 516 runs at an average of 86, have further solidified his position in the team.
Team India captain Shubman Gill has lauded Jadeja's form, acknowledging his instrumental role in helping the team navigate difficult situations. "I think in the past couple of years, the kind of form that he has shown, we always knew...playing Jaddu bhai in India is always a difficult aspect (for the opposition). The kind of form he has shown with the bat is the reason I think he has become our number 6 batter in Test matches," Gill said.
Functionally, Jadeja's role as vice-captain is expected to formalize his existing contributions to the team. This includes strategizing bowling plans, facilitating communication between the dressing room and the field, and setting standards for intensity during sessions. With a relatively young captain in Shubman Gill, Jadeja's experience and tactical acumen will be crucial in guiding the team, especially on Indian surfaces.
The Test series against the West Indies marks India's second engagement in the 2025-2027 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. India currently holds the third position in the WTC standings. The first Test begins on October 2 in Ahmedabad, followed by the second Test on October 10 in Delhi.
The squad for the West Indies series includes Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-Captain), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and N Jagadeesan (WK).
