IND vs WI: Major Blow for West Indies as Shamar Joseph Ruled Out of Series

West Indies Suffer Injury Blow Ahead of India Series as Shamar Joseph Ruled Out.

The West Indies have been dealt a major setback ahead of their upcoming Test series against India, with star pacer Shamar Joseph ruled out due to injury on Friday, September 26.

Joseph, 26, had been expected to lead the West Indies bowling attack in the two-match series, beginning October 2 in Ahmedabad. He has been in sensational form in 2025, taking 22 wickets in just three Tests, ranking among the top five wicket-takers in the format this year.

The pacer will be re-evaluated ahead of the Bangladesh limited-overs series, which starts on October 18 with three ODIs and three T20Is.

In his place, the selectors have called up Johann Layne, a promising all-rounder. Layne has played 19 first-class matches, scoring 495 runs with two fifties. More importantly, he has impressed with the ball, claiming 66 wickets at an average of 22.88, including four five-wicket hauls.

“Johann Layne has replaced Shamar Joseph in the squad for the Test series against India. Joseph has been ruled out due to an injury and will be re-evaluated ahead of the Bangladesh limited-overs series,”
— West Indies Cricket Board statement

The two-match Test series will be played in Ahmedabad and Delhi, with the second Test starting on October 10.

India vs West Indies: Full Squads

India
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N. Jagadeesan (WK), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav.

West Indies
Roston Chase (C), Jomel Warrican (VC), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Johann Layne, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.