Andy Pycroft, the match referee at the centre of last month’s Asia Cup handshake controversy, received a rousing welcome on Thursday as he took charge of the India vs West Indies 1st Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Introduced by presenter Ravi Shastri, Pycroft was greeted warmly. “Back in the house all the way from Dubai in the hot seat, Andy Pycroft,” Shastri said. Click here to watch how Shastri introduced Pycroft.Pycroft had made headlines in September when he requested captains Salman Agha and Suryakumar Yadav to skip the customary handshake during the India-Pakistan toss, sparking a dispute that drew the Pakistan Cricket Board’s call for his immediate removal.
The row escalated in Pakistan’s subsequent game against the UAE, which was delayed due to last-minute discussions with the ICC before Pakistan finally agreed to take the field.On Thursday, Shubman Gill began his home stint as Team India‘s Test captain.West Indies won the toss and decided to bat first.“We have got four Tests (at home) before the end of the year and we would like to win all four. Preparation has been good. Everyone is in great touch, it is about getting into the red-ball mindset. It looks like a very good surface. Not disappointed with losing the toss, it has been under covers and there might be some help early on,” Gill said at toss. “We have two seamers – Bumrah and Siraj, three spinners – Jaddu Bhai, Washington and Kuldeep, and allrounder Nitish Reddy.”With captains shaking hands after the toss and teams set, the stage is ready for an engaging first Test, free of the Pakistan drama but full of competitive promise.Playing XIs:
India
(Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
West Indies
(Playing XI): Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope(w), Roston Chase(c), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales
