The first Test of the two-match series between India and the West Indies will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from October 2 to 6. Ahead of the match starting on Thursday (October 2), former India opener Aakash Chopra has picked the playing XI of the hosts for the series opener. In his team, Chopra included Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal as a No. 5 batter, but surprisingly there was no place for Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Reddy has played seven Tests for India since making his debut against the Australian team at Perth Stadium last year in November. He missed the last two matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in July-August 2025 due to an injury. Axar, on the other hand, is back in the Test side after more than 20 months.

Axar represents Gujarat in the Ranji Trop

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