Varun Aaron reveals India’s playing XI for first Test vs West Indies; Devdutt Padikkal included

The former Indian bowler and analyst Varun Aaron has revealed his India playing XI for the first Test against the West Indies, which is scheduled to start on Thursday, October 2, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Speaking exclusively on ESPNCricinfo, Aaron has stated that the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, would love to go ahead with a turning track in Ahmedabad despite their series defeat to New Zealand at home. 

"India have been annihilating foreign teams for years with turning surfaces. Just because they lose one series, that does not mean they are going to change the wickets they prepare or the style of cricket they play at home. I think India are still going to go with surfaces that favor turn. I would not say rank turners, but surfaces that turn," Varun Aaron said to ESPNCricinfo.

"This is a very different-looking Indian team than what we saw against New Zealand. The West Indies team is also a different team to New Zealand as well. So, I don't think they are going to change too much in tactics, it will favor spin," he added.

Speaking about his playing XI, he went ahead with the usual top-order with KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Shubman Gill. However, he brought in Devdutt Padikkal at No.5 while Dhruv Jurel takes up the keeping gloves.

Moving forward, he has slotted Ravindra Jadeja as the spin-bowling all-rounder alongside Washington Sundar. Kuldeep Yadav is the frontline spinner with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj taking up pace duties.

Varun Aaron’s India playing XI for the first Test vs West Indies:

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

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