'Looks like my gully cricket pitch' - Fans react as image of pitch for India Vs West Indies 1st Test surfaces

Pitch for India vs West Indies 1st Test (Source: Twitter

India and West Indies are set to lock horns in the first Test that will kick off their 2023-25 ​​World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The multi-format tour, which includes two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is, will begin at 7.30 pm. Indian time at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica. The Men in Blue will aim to start the series on a high note after losing to Australia in the 2023 WTC final.

India will be missing the services of veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who was dropped from the Test squad due to recent poor form. Meanwhile, youngsters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yaswasvi Jaiswal earned their maiden Test call-ups. India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that Jaiswal will make his debut and open alongside him, while Shubman Gill will bat in Pujara's place - one down.

"Gill will play at No. 3 because he also wants to play at No. 3. It’s good for us also because it allows us to have a left-right combination (in the opening). Hopefully, this works for us in the long term. We were desperate for a long time for a left-hander (opener), so let’s hope he (Yashasvi Jaiswal) performs well for the team and makes the spot his own," Rohit said ahead of the series opener.

Meanwhile, West Indies have also made a few changes to their Test squad - recalling spin all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican. They have also included two uncapped batters – Alick Athanaze and Kirk McKenzie.

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

Meanwhile, a picture of the first Test pitch without much grass has surfaced on social media and fans are giving their reactions. Seeing the surface, many people anticipate an inconsistent bounce from the start. Some fans gave funny responses saying that their gully cricket pitch is better than this pitch.

Check out the image of the pitch for the India vs West Indies 1st Test and some best fan reactions:

After toss match abandoned due to absence of pitch 🤷🏻‍♂️😏

— Kashif Ali (@Kashifkorejok) July 12, 2023

Looks dead; even our village boys can make a better one. 😅 JFF

— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952) July 12, 2023

It looks like they put sunscreen on the pitch

— Sachin Garg (@GargSachin) July 12, 2023

💯 loading for Virat to bring him desperately on fab 4 ❤️😍

— Sunny 😎 (@being_sunny1) July 12, 2023

Looks terrible.... uneven bounce on the cards

— IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) July 12, 2023

No way... This looks my gully cricket pitch

— KL Rahul 2.0 (@KL_Rahul_1) July 12, 2023

This pitch reminds me of the pitch in my village

— nandish (@nandish142k2) July 12, 2023

O God......
What kind of pitch this
Looking like a terrible pitch to bat on #Cricket #WIvsIND

— Yawar Azam (@AzamYawar) July 12, 2023

Nothing can match the level of gully cricket 💥💥

— Roni 😉💜 (@iamrsk013) July 12, 2023