Yashasvi Jaiswal knows how to make opportunities count. Having gone through a lot of hardships in his formative years, he has the ability to deliver even when the going gets tough.

The 21-year-old left-handed youngster will make his debut as an opener in the first Test against the West Indies at Windsor Park Stadium in Roseau, Dominica, on Wednesday.

Team India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed on Tuesday that Shubman Gill will bat at No.3 while he, along with Jaiswal, will form the new opening combination.

“Shubman wants to bat at No. 3... He has told Rahul (Dravid) bhai that he has played all his cricket batting at No. 3 and 4 and can perform well at that position,” Rohit said on Tuesday.

“We agreed to Shubman’s wish since it also helps us because of the left-right opening combination,” the captain said.

Gill will have to get used to the new role, a position both Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara had made their own, each for more than a decade during their playing stint with the national team.

When Rohit walks out for the toss on Wednesday, Team India will enter a transition phase in red-ball cricket with an aim to make the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle memorable.

Besides Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan could also be tried out in place of KS Bharat. The bowling too will have a new look in the two-match series in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Any three among Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini are expected to get the nod as India have decided to go in with three pacers and two spinners.

“We have decided to play two spinners since the wicket here has traditionally helped the spinners,” Rohit said.

Fielding a pace attack with just 88 Test wickets between them is a concern, especially on foreign soil. Siraj will be India’s spearhead with 52 wickets in 19 Tests.

Another player who could soon get a look-in soon is Ruturaj Gaikwad. His batting position still remains unknown but it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the No.4 or 5 spot belong to him in a year’s time. It remains to be seen how the selectors fix a faltering middle order, reeling under the dwindling form of Virat Kohli.

That Kohli, Rohit and Ajinkya Rahane are towards the end of their careers is significant. The selectors have made it clear that they don’t wish to blood two or three youngsters at the same time and this policy of gradually phasing out the seniors will come in handy.

Rohit stressed on the need for the team, including the seniors, to “step up”. He praised his soon-to-be new opening partner.

“Hope Jaiswal can make it count... He has put in the hard yards in domestic cricket and been rewarded for it,” Rohit said.

Rahane, who has seen Jaiswal from close quarters, too sounded excited. “I’m really happy for him. He’s an exciting talent,” Rahane said.

“He’s done really well for Mumbai, did well in the IPL. Most important (is) the way he’s batting in red-ball cricket. His record is good, he did well in the Duleep Trophy last year and for Mumbai as well. It’s about going out in the middle and playing with freedom,” was the vice-captain’s message.

How the batting stands up against the West Indies pace attack could determine India’s chances. The home team’s potency in Tests, particularly at home, has largely been down to the pace exploits of Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph.

Twelve years after having played their last Test in Dominica, India return to play the series opener against a West Indies team, which is searching for the road to stay relevant in international cricket.