India vs West Indies: Will Test Series Be Rescheduled Due To Hosts Involvement In World Cup Qualifiers?

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India will begin their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Cycle with a two-match series in West Indies, scheduled to be held in July. But with the hosts involved in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 Qualfiers, there could be a conflict.

West Indies is currently in Zimbabwe for the ODI World Cup qualifiers, which is set to conclude only on July 9, three days before the their first Test against India on July 12.

So, with just three days gap between the two international assignments, will there be any changes to the dates for the Test matches? Cricket West Indies (CWI) is exploring multiple options to avoid any potential crisis.

As it stands, there is no talk of the India vs West Indies Test series being rescheduled. CWI often uses different sides for the white-ball format and the red ball game, but there are a few players that are part of both the squads.

Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, and Alzarri Joseph are some of the players currently in Zimbabwe that play in both formats. However, according to a report from Cricbuzz, CWI is making alternative plans to avert the conflict.

"We have multiple options, but first we need to qualify for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023," the CWI official was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz on how they can avoid any conflict in schedule.

The report also adds that the CWI will look to get the four players released for the Tests before the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Qualifier final, which has no major relevance to the qualification as reaching the summit clash it self confirms the two spots for the tournament proper in October.

"The final of the CWCQ is meaningless, so our Test players won't participate, but first we need to make sure we reach the final," the CWI official further added.

West Indies secured 39-run win over the United States on June 18. They next face Nepal, on Thursday (June 22) followed by a crucial contest against Zimbabwe in their group (A), on June 24, and then Netherlands two days later.

If qualified, they will play in the Super Sixes stage, which begins on June 29 and ends on July 7 followed by the final on July 9, when the top two of the Super 6 stage clash.

As for the series against India, West Indies is scheduled to play the first Test on July 12 in Dominica followed by the second Test on July 20 in Trinidad. The tour will later continue with three ODIs and five T20Is.