Follow UsIn what comes as a huge blow to West Indies, their pace talisman Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against India due to injury. The development was confirmed by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on social media, as the board announced that 22-year-old Johann Layne has replaced Joseph in the squad.
“Joseph has been ruled out due to an injury and will be re-evaluated ahead of the Bangladesh limited-overs series,” CWI said in a statement.
“Johann Layne has replaced Shamar Joseph in the squad for the test series against India.”
With 51 Test wickets at an average of 21.66, Joseph was expected to be West Indies’ trump card in the two-match series. Two months ago, he had enjoyed an all-time great series against Australia at home, taking 22 wickets in 3 Tests at a remarkable average of 14.95.
Joseph’s injury leaves Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph as the bowling spearheads for the visitors for the Test series starting next week in Ahmedabad.
22-year-old Layne, who has been roped in as Joseph’s replacement, has not debuted in Tests yet but has taken 66 first-class wickets at an average just over 22. He can bat as well, with him having two first-class fifties to his name. Layne recently represented Barbados Royals in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Updated West Indies Squad for India Test series
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican, Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales, Johann Layne