New Delhi, Sep 27 (NationPress) As the thrilling Asia Cup final unfolds, attention will swiftly pivot to the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, commencing on October 2 in Ahmedabad.

One significant topic of discussion is the omission of Karun Nair, who once achieved the remarkable feat of scoring a triple-century in Tests and was given a second chance to represent the national team during the drawn 2-2 series in England. However, the 33-year-old managed to accumulate only 205 runs across eight innings in England, with his highest score being 57 in the concluding match at The Oval. Consequently, he has been replaced for the West Indies series by left-handed batsman Devdutt Padikkal.

Amit Mishra, the former Indian leg-spinner, expressed his clear views regarding Nair's exclusion and Padikkal's entry, alongside B Sai Sudharsan, who retains his spot in the squad. “He (Nair) had his chance. I would say he was quite fortunate to make a return to the Indian team at the ages of 32, 33, or 34. This was his opportunity to shine, but his performance in numerous matches was lacking,” Mishra stated.

“As time progresses, it's essential to focus on the younger players who are excelling. They deserve their opportunities, and Sai Sudharsan is among those who will now get more chances, reflecting the current mindset,” he added.

“His batting style is commendable; he possesses solid technique, takes time to settle in, and executes his shots effectively. Hence, it’s the right moment to integrate more young talents into the Test squad who can contribute in the long run,” Mishra elaborated in an exclusive interview with IANS.

India's spin bowling lineup sees the return of Axar Patel, alongside vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. With the home conditions favoring spin, Mishra believes that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has assembled a well-balanced attack.

“I always emphasize the importance of our strength, which has traditionally been spin bowling, especially against the West Indies. Whenever there's even a slight advantage for spinners on the pitch, the West Indies team tends to struggle,” Mishra commented.

“Thus, relying on our strengths is beneficial, as we have all the necessary combinations available – left-arm spin, with our vice-captain also capable of batting and bowling left-arm spin. We also have Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, which means we possess a variety of spinners. However, we will certainly field two proper spinners,” he noted.

The series against the West Indies marks India's second challenge in the 2025-27 WTC cycle, where they currently sit third in the points table, holding 46.67 percentage points. With the West Indies yet to score, this presents a prime opportunity for India to achieve two objectives: provide opportunities to young players and maximize their points tally to 24.

India's youth-focused approach in Tests has received commendation from former leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who also praised Agarkar's candid acknowledgment that their 3-0 home series defeat to New Zealand last year was a lesson they are determined not to repeat.

“I believe there are numerous young talents in the team, which is commendable. The key takeaway is that all these young players are being included for the upcoming significant series or tournaments. This is their moment to shine, and they must seize the opportunity by delivering performances that secure their positions,” Mishra remarked.

“It’s also encouraging that players excelling in domestic cricket and the IPL are being given a chance to showcase their skills. I have always believed that Ajit Agarkar strives to assemble the best team, and he appears to be on the right track,” he added.

As Rishabh Pant continues his recovery from a fractured right foot, attention shifts to wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel. With the pathway to the national team becoming more accessible in recent years, Mishra concluded by stating that this is an exceptional opportunity for young players to establish themselves as regulars in the squad.

“Those who receive a chance, whether it's Jurel or other youngsters, must aim to score runs and perform well to secure their places in the upcoming series and tournaments. This will bolster their confidence. It’s noteworthy that in our era, opportunities were scarce,” Mishra shared.

“However, now they are being afforded these chances. Back then, we had to perform consistently for 2-3 years before progressing to India A and then getting a shot at the Indian team. Now, a strong season can lead to national selection,” he added.

“Once selected, players need to maintain their form and keep delivering performances to prolong their careers with India. The crux of the matter is to concentrate on performance, rather than distractions. If the focus remains on performance, a player’s position will be naturally secured, regardless of their age,” he concluded.