India squad for West Indies 2018 ODI: India have announced a 12-member squad ahead of the first ODI.
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Following their norm of the recently concluded Test series against Windies, India have announced a 12-member squad for the first ODI to be played against Windies at Guwahati tomorrow.
India have included both Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant in the 12-member squad. The presence of six bowling options gives a strong hint that the 21-year old swashbuckling Pant will be handed an ODI debut tomorrow.
Having scored the most runs by an Indian wicket-keeper in the first five Test matches (at a strike rate of 73.61), his inclusion in the ODI side was always on the cards. Moreover, with the chairman of selectors MSK Prasad hinting at finding a second wicket-keeper ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, one expects Pant to be given a longer run.
In the 12-member squad, India have incorporated all their bowling options. There is a slight chance of India playing each one of them. In the absence of Kedar Jadhav, India won’t enjoy the luxury of their sixth bowling option. As a result, India might play an extra bowler and not hand a debut to Pant.
The first match of the series will also see India’s formidable Top Three of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli back after the tour of England. Given the opposition, there are high chances of the trio not featuring in all the matches. On their day, the three of them possess a substantial threat for the opposition.
India will field the duo of Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav in ODIs after more than a year. The duo will lead India’s fast bowling attack with Khaleel Ahmed to accompany them.
Read India’s 12-member squad and some of the recent Twitter reactions on it below:
