Watch: Ishan Kishan Pranks Shubman Gill, India In Jovial Mood Ahead Of WI Test Series

11.07.2023 - 16:25 sports.ndtv.com

After a month of break, the Indian cricket team gets down to action once again as they take on West Indies in the first Test of a two-match away series.

While the hosts, after their shock elimination from the ODI World Cup Qualifiers would be eager to prove that they are still relevant in world cricket, the Indian team too is beset by certain challenges.

Cheteshwar Pujara's much-debated exit has created a slot in the Indian top-order and the immensely talented Mumbai left-hander will hope that he lives up to his 'name' and promise that he has shown at the first-class level before being thrown at the deep end of the pool.

While the serious action will start from Wednesday, the Indian team was in a jovial mood at the official photo session of the team.

cricket India Cricket Team West Indies Cricket Team 2023 West Indies vs India Test watch Ishan Kishan Jasprit Bumrah Shubman Gill Australia South Africa India

Jasprit Bumrah has been missing from action since 2022 due to major injury concerns but the star fast bowler could make his return very soon. Bumrah has been practicing hard at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and according to a new video, he has making great headway in his journey. In a video going viral on social media, he was pictured bowling full throttle at the nets and that has come as great news for all the Indian cricket team fans. Bumrah last played in a T20 match against Australia back in 2022 and he can be making his return in the series against Ireland.

Not Asia Cup, Jasprit Bumrah Could Be Back For This Series: Report

Jasprit Burmah's absence from the national team has hurt India a lot over the last year or so, especially in big events. Had the pacer been a part of the team at the Asia Cup, T20 World Cup and the World Test Championship, India's campaign could've ended quite differently. While this year's Asia Cup was being seen as the possible return event for the marquee pacer, a report has claimed that the ace bowler might be able to wear the national team's jersey a little before.

Watch: Ishan Kishan Trolls Ajinkya Rahane, Compares Him To West Indies Tail-Ender In Witty Banter

Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Ajinkya Rahane did not miss a chance to troll teammate Ajinkya Rahane on Day 3 of the first Test match against West Indies in Dominica on Sunday. India were on the verge of victory in the final session but the No. 11 batter Jomel Warrican scored 18 runs in 18 balls to provide slight entertainment to the home crowd. Ishan took aim at Rahane, who scored 3 off 11 balls, in a hilarious banter and said that Warrican can now played more balls than the veteran batter. "Aap se zyada ball khel gaya yeh, Ajju bhai(He has now played more balls than you, Ajju bhai)," he quipped.

"Wanted Ishan To Get...": Skipper Rohit Sharma On His Displeased Gesture Towards Debutant

India registered a big victory over West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series on Saturday. The Rohit Sharma-led side brutally thrashed the hosts by an innings and 141 runs on Day 3 of the match and had a winning start to their World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. Asked to bowl first, the visitors bundled out West Indies for just 150 in the first innings and then went onto post 421/5, before declaring in the first session on Day 3. However, skipper Rohit Sharma's displeased gesture towards wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan went viral.

Watch: Rohit Sharma's Infuriated Reaction Towards 'Slow' Ishan Kishan From Dressing Room Goes Viral

India captain Rohit Sharma was furious with debutant wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan's approach during Day 3 of the recently-concluded first Test against West Indies in Dominica. Rohit was seen making animated gestures towards Kishan, who went out to bat following the dismissal of Virat Kohli on 76. It seemed that Rohit was unhappy with Kishan, who took 20 balls to open his account, as he was planning to declare India's innings as soon as Kohli got out. After Rohit was seen throwing gestures at Kishan, the youngster took a single on the very next ball before he and Jadeja and Ravindra Jadeja were called back to the pavillion.

Watch: Ishan Kishan's Cheeky Stumping Attempt vs Jason Holder Almost Forces A Jonny Bairstow-like Situation

Since the Jonny Bairstow incident in the second Ashes Test, where the England batter was cheekily stumped by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey at Lord's, there has been a lot of discussion on the 'rules of the game' vs 'spirit if cricket' debate. A similar situation almost arose on the third day of the first Test between India and West Indies in Dominica on Friday. Test debutant wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan attempted cheeky stumpings of Jason Holder off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling. However, the Bairstow-like dismissals were avoided.