It was a dream-come-true moment for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan as the two left-handers made their Test debuts for Team India in the first Test against West Indies on Wednesday. Jaiswal and Kishan have been presented with cap numbers 306 and 307 by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, respectively. The duo will be looking to make an impression in the two-match Test series in order to cement their place in the playing 11.
A day before the series opener, Rohit had confirmed that Jaiswal and Kishan would make their debuts. With Jaiswal opening the innings alongside Rohit, Shubman Gill will take the No. 3 spot of Cheteshwar Pujara. As KS Bharat failed to perform well in the 2023 World Test Championship final, Kishan got the opportunity and will be standing behind the stumps vs West Indies.
According to Rohit, India want to keep this Playing XI going forward since a left-hand right-hand opening combination will benefit the team significantly. “We have been desperate for a left-hander opener. Let’s hope, Yashasvi performs well for the team and makes that spot his own,” Rohit said.
“Gill himself wants to play at No 3. He spoke to Rahul bhai about it as he has done well at No 3 & 4 in the last in domestic cricket. It also helps as we will get the left-right opening combination. Hopefully, this works for us in the long term,” Rohit added.
The series will mark the start of the 2023-25 WTC cycle for both teams. India reached the finals in both of the first two editions but lost to New Zealand and Australia. While West Indies will be looking to bounce back after their heartbreaking exit from the ODI World Cup Qualifiers, the Men in Blue will be aiming to start the new season on a high note.
Playing XI of India and West Indies for the 1st Test
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj
West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva(w), Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
Here’s how fans reacted to Ishan Kishan & Yashasvi Jaiswal making their debuts for India against West Indies:
Finally journey of Jaiswal come to Team India. ??
— DK (@CricCrazyDK) July 12, 2023
Current team looks better than the one that played WTC final atleast in terms of batting
— Enzel (@EN_Zone1) July 12, 2023
A future for India !!
Who will score more ?? Ishan or Jaiswal ??— Utkarsh (@utkarshh_tweet) July 12, 2023
Dream moment for both players.
— Cric_tok (@cric_tok) July 12, 2023
Finished wi ko marke career banao ?
— Maxi ? (@maxiking018) July 12, 2023
Ruturaj making his Test Waterboy debut
— Abhishek (@be_mewadi) July 12, 2023
Dono he player test main chance deserve nahi karta
— Shelby (@Meme_Canteen) July 12, 2023
Test caps are now a days very easy to get.
— PK (@LM10Supremacy) July 12, 2023
