Alzarri, Shamar Ruled Out; Blades, Layne Called Up

West Indies have been hit by multiple fast‑bowling injuries ahead of the two‑Test tour of India, which begins in Ahmedabad on October 2. Frontline seamer Shamar Joseph has been ruled out with an undisclosed injury and will be re‑evaluated ahead of the white‑ball tour of Bangladesh beginning October 18; uncapped 22‑year‑old Johann Layne has been called up as his replacement (19 first‑class matches, 66 wickets at about a 22.28 average and 495 runs). Separately, Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out after scans revealed degeneration of a previously resolved lower‑back stress fracture, and veteran Jason Holder was unavailable to replace him because of a planned medical procedure. Pace‑bowling all‑rounder Jediah Blades was drafted as cover for the injured Alzarri. The twin absences leave a depleted Windies pace group — currently including Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip and Justin Greaves — significantly weakened as they prepare to face India's batting on the subcontinent.