India team for West Indies tour of India: Sportsrush presents before you India’s probable squad for the series against West Indies.
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The Indian team for the imminent Test series against West Indies was due to be announced yesterday. However, due to the unavailability of all the selectors at the same venue has postponed that announcement.
If reports are to be believed, the team will now be announced on Saturday, i.e., September 29. Another reason behind the delay of this announcement is injuries caused to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma.
Both Ashwin and Sharma are expected to undergo fitness tests on Saturday, post which the final squad will be announced. That being said, the announcement can be made tomorrow as well if the physios and trainers of NCA rule out the possibility of the duo’s taking part in this series.
Despite Shikhar Dhawan’s poor form in England, he is all in likeliness of being retained in the squad. Had Lokesh Rahul not scored a century at The Oval, it would have been difficult for him to be named in this squad. Prithivi Shaw should retain his place as the reserve opener.
The focal point of India’s batting line-up in Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will also be seen facing West Indies next week. There have been murmurs on Kohli’s presence for it is subjected to him passing a fitness test. Clarity on the same will only be known once the team is announced.
Hanuma Vihari, who scored a gritty half-century on debut at The Oval, will be in the reserves if India chose to play five bowlers in Hardik Pandya’s absence.
In the fast bowling department, India will have the services of Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is currently playing in the Asia Cup, is likely to be named in the Test squad. There is no reason other than rest (a significant one) regarding the selectors not naming Jasprit Bumrah in the two-match series. If Bumrah is rested and Sharma doesn’t recover from his injury, India can choose one out of Navdeep Saini and Mohammad Siraj as the reserve bowler.
Among the spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav seem to be first-choice spinners for India. If Ashwin misses out on selection, there are chances of Yuzvendra Chahal getting a maiden Test call-up. If that happens, it will be a tad unfair on Shahbaz Nadeem, who has been in stellar form for the last two years. India might also look to replace Ashwin with a like-for-like replacement in Jayant Yadav.
With the domestic season also in action, India might select a 14-member squad in a bid to let one player keep playing for his state than just warm the bench.
Below is India’s probable squad for the series against West Indies:
Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma/Navdeep Saini/Mohammad Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin/Yuzvendra Chahal/Jayant Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav.
Read some of Twitter on reaction on the same below:
