It’s time for another home Test series, and this time the challengers are the West Indies. Well, it’s not going to be much of a challenge, to be honest, considering the current condition of the Windies Test squad. Still, India needs to be careful as they are not yet out of their last home series trauma against New Zealand. To reclaim their dominion status at home, the selectors will have to announce the best possible India Test squad for West Indies. This herculean task has become more aggravating due to the Shreyas Iyer vs Devdutt Padikkal conundrum.

Iyer or Padikkal – The Best Middle Order Batsman in India

The middle order is an excruciating riddle for the Indian Test setup that the selectors really need to figure out soon, as it has been weighing the team down in crucial moments. The Middle order has an important responsibility to release pressure off the rest of the batting order so that they can do their jobs. If they collapse, that team goes into shambles, and it becomes really difficult to pick the game up from there.

Now that we know how important the middle order is in the game, let’s quickly jump to the Shreyas Iyer vs Devdutt Padikkal debate and try to find out who will be best suited for the India Test squad for West Indies.

Shreyas Iyer：The Established Contender

Shreyas Iyer has already proven himself as one of the most reliable middle order batsman in India in the limited-overs setup. However, his Test career has been a hit and a miss quite often. He burst onto the scene with a century on debut against New Zealand in 2021, which is a dream many youngsters only dream of. Following this fairytale start, he has since played 14 Test matches. In those matches, he has showcased his ability to score runs in challenging conditions. However, a persistent back issue and a recent dip in form have cast a shadow over his red-ball future.

Related Article：Why Shreyas Iyer Is Not in Asia Cup 2025 — Politics or Performance Snub?

It’s a shame that despite having a respectable average of 36.86 from 14 Test matches, his apparent weakness against the short ball and his inability to convert starts have raised questions. The recently concluded Duleep Trophy serves as a fine example of these problems, and his single-digit score in the most recent unofficial Test match against Australia A is like the final nail in the coffin.

🚨 SHREYAS IYER WANTS A BREAK FROM RED-BALL CRICKET 🚨

– Iyer has written to BCCI that he wants a break from *Red ball* cricket for sometime due to stiffness & fatigue issues in his back. [Devendra Pandey from Express Sports] pic.twitter.com/K0BgMI7J4C

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 23, 2025

The biggest setback, though, is his persistent back problem, which has allegedly prompted him to tell the BCCI that he needs a break from the demands of playing first-class cricket. He is effectively eliminated from consideration for the West Indies series as a result of this decision.

Devdutt Padikkal：The Rising Star

Devdutt Padikkal has made a head turn with his amazing knocks lately. The talented left-handed batsman from Karnataka has been knocking on the national team’s door for quite some time. He consistently rakes in tons of runs in domestic competitions and makes a great case for his selection in the Test squad.

In the Ranji Trophy and other domestic competitions, he has been a reliable run scorer. His efforts came to fruition when he was given the opportunity in early 2024 to make his Test debut against England. He grabbed it with both hands and scored a tough fifty that demonstrated his ability to compete in the big leagues. He has been a vital member of the India A team ever since, and he is leaving no stone unturned for a long-term position in the squad.

🚨 REPORTS 🚨

Selectors are likely to consider Nitish Kumar Reddy and Devdutt Padikkal for the West Indies Test series. 🇮🇳🏆#Cricket #Nitish #Padikkal #India pic.twitter.com/IhO42uDSHs

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 22, 2025

Devdutt Padikkal is in the form of his life. His recent form has been nothing short of sensational. He recently played a brilliantly patient innings of 150 for the ‘A’ squad against a formidable Australia A team. This “daddy hundred” demonstrated his skill, temperament, and capacity for long innings, making a strong impression on the selectors. Additionally, Padikkal contributes a useful left-handed alternative to India’s middle order, giving the team the vital balance they frequently need.

Shreyas Iyer vs Devdutt Padikkal：First Class Stats Comparison

The Final Verdict

With the buzz around the India Test squad for West Indies growing, the conversation has a clear frontrunner. The much-talked-about Shreyas Iyer vs Devdutt Padikkal debate for that crucial spot in the middle order batsman in India seems to have tilted decisively. Iyer’s recent struggles with form and a recurring back issue have made the choice a straightforward one. On the flip side, Padikkal has done everything in his power to grab this opportunity, making his case unassailable.