India’s Test and ODI squads for the upcoming West Indies tour have been announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The selections brought a mix of surprises and expected changes, as the selectors took some risky stands before the key series. The most noticeable change was Umesh Yadav and Cheteshwar Pujara’s omission from the Test team despite their years of experience.
Pujara, whose form has been on a decline since his return to the Test team a year ago, was dealt a huge blow by the decision to drop him.
Concerns about Pujara’s declining performances have been already raised, and his poor performance in the most recent World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia proved to be the turning point. The selection committee thought it was time for a change despite his major contributions to Indian cricket over the years.
A Closer Look at India’s Test Squad for the West Indies Tour
The young and extraordinarily gifted Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been creating waves with his outstanding achievements in domestic and IPL cricket, would be joining the team in Pujara’s place.
Mukesh Kumar is another potential player who received his first Test call-up. In domestic cricket, the bowler has been in outstanding form, regularly taking wickets and demonstrating his abilities.
While Pujara’s exclusion made news, the squad had other major changes as well. After making a name for himself in domestic cricket, Navdeep Saini, who had been absent from the national spotlight for a time, was re-inducted into the Test squad. On the Caribbean pitches, Saini’s speed and ability to create bounce might be quite important.
Mohammed Shami, a key member of the Indian pace battery, was given a break from both the Test and ODI squads. This decision allows Shami to rest and recover ahead of the busy international schedule, keeping his workload management in mind.
In the Test squad, veterans like Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, and Ajinkya Rahane retained their places, emphasizing the importance of their experience and proven abilities.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, initially selected as a backup opener for the WTC final but later replaced by Jaiswal due to personal reasons, found his way into the Test squad for the West Indies tour.
Gaikwad’s inclusion highlights the selectors’ confidence in his abilities and the desire to provide him with valuable international exposure.
With the Test series commencing on July 12 at Windsor Park, Dominica, all eyes will be on how the new squad performs in the Caribbean conditions.
India’s Test squad for West Indies series
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.
India ODI Squad: Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan Named as Wicketkeeper-Batters
In India’s ODI squad, two wicketkeeper-batters, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, were selected. Suryakumar Yadav again got his spot at No. 4, despite his poor performance in the 50-over format so far.
Taking charge of the pace attack will be Mohammed Siraj, who will be supported by Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat. The return of Umran Malik to the squad was notable, and Mukesh Kumar was also named in the ODI lineup.
In the spin department, there were no surprises, as Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja secured their spots.
The three-match ODI series is scheduled to commence on July 27 in Barbados.
India’s ODI squad for West Indies series
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.
