India's overseas success in recent times has been largely owed to their all-weather pace attack. This, however, cannot be said about the current line-up that is set to take on the West Indies in their own backyard.
The absence of an injured Jasprit Bumrah and rest given to Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav from the Test squad means the current bowling attack is much less experienced.
During his time as captain, Virat Kohli ensured to field five bowlers, the results of which were largely positive and unprecedented. India's pace attack was one of the best in the world.
The back-to-back defeats in the ICC World Test Championship final have indicated to look for newer options, which has resulted in the ongoing transition process within the team.
While Shami can last another WTC cycle, one cannot vouch for Yadav to have a place in the team for that long. Moreover, the clouds over Bumrah's future have kept the Indian think-tank on edge.
Ishant Sharma, who was one of the key bowlers not too long ago, has been phased out and with India playing fewer 'A' matches, the bench strength appears unstable.
India will have the services of Mohammed Siraj in the West Indies, who comes with an experience of 19 Tests. Jaydev Unadkat is another seam option, but is he a viable choice for the longer run?
Navdeep Saini, who cut short his English County stint to be with the team in West Indies, is injury-prone and is returning to the team since playing a last Test match for India in 2021. Saini will have to fight for a spot with uncapped player Mukesh Kumar.
India's Test series record against the West Indies is splendid, and they will expect a repeat in fortune this time around, too.
The bowlers will face a much sterner competition when India visit South Africa later in 2023.
India's squad for West Indies Tests: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.
