IND vs WI 2025: Johann Layne replaces injured Shamar Joseph for India Tests

West Indies have suffered a major blow ahead of their two-match Test series against India, as fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been ruled out due to injury. In his place, 22-year-old all-rounder Johann Layne has been drafted into the squad.

Joseph has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury. The 24-year-old was expected to spearhead the pace attack in India, but his unavailability forces the visitors to rethink their bowling plans. Cricket West Indies confirmed that Joseph will undergo further assessment and is expected to be fit ahead of the upcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh, which begins on October 18 with three ODIs followed by three T20Is.

IND vs WI 2025: India squad announced

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IND vs WI 2025: India squad announced

West Indies squad arrives in India on Wednesday morning

To fill the void, the West Indies have called up Johann Layne, a fast-bowling all-rounder from Barbados. Layne has already shown promise in domestic cricket. In 19 first-class matches, he has bagged 66 wickets at an average of 22.28, including four five-wicket hauls. With the bat, he has scored 495 runs with two half-centuries. Notably, this will be his first major assignment with the senior team.

Meanwhile, the West Indies squad arrived in India on Wednesday morning and will begin preparations with a training session at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The first Test begins at the same venue on October 2, followed by the second match in Visakhapatnam.

This series records the West Indies’ second assignment in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle after their home series against Australia in June-July 2025. With India expected to be dominant on home soil, the visitors will be up for a tough challenge.

West Indies' updated squad for two-match Test series