In the latest announcement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Test and ODI squads for India’s upcoming tour of the West Indies were revealed. Notably, experienced players Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav were left out of the Test team following their underwhelming performances in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Pujara’s declining form since his return to the Test side a year ago had been a concern, and Yadav’s lackluster display against Australia in the WTC final made his omission evident. On the other hand, promising young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal and fast bowler Mukesh Kumar earned their first call-ups to the Test squad, while Navdeep Saini made a comeback after a lengthy absence.
Jaiswal had caught the selectors’ attention due to his outstanding performance in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he amassed 625 runs at an impressive strike rate of 163. Additionally, his exceptional record in first-class cricket worked in his favor. With an average of 80.21 in 15 matches, including nine centuries and a highest score of 265, the left-handed Mumbai cricketer had proven his mettle.
Mohammed Shami was granted a break from both Test and ODI matches, while Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, and Ajinkya Rahane retained their places in the Test squad. Axar Patel, the spin-bowling all-rounder, also maintained his spot. Notably, Rahane, who had been out of contention for approximately 15 months, was appointed as the vice-captain of the Test team following his commendable performance in the WTC final, where he emerged as India’s top run-scorer, driven by a resilient knock of 89 runs in the first innings.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, initially selected as a backup opener for the WTC final but replaced by Jaiswal due to Gaikwad’s wedding, secured a place in the 16-member squad for the two-match Test series commencing on July 12 at Windsor Park in Dominica.
In a statement, the BCCI stated, “The Men’s Selection Committee has finalized India’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series and three ODIs against the West Indies. India is also scheduled to play five T20Is, and the squad for those matches will be announced later.”
NEWS – India’s squads for West Indies Tests and ODI series announced.
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2023
TEST Squad: Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (VC), KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd.… pic.twitter.com/w6IzLEhy63
Regarding the ODI squad, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan were chosen as wicketkeeper-batsmen. With Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant absent, the selectors made a logical decision to back Suryakumar Yadav at No.4, despite his lackluster performances in the 50-over format thus far.
The pace bowling department will be led by Mohammed Siraj, supported by Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat, while Umran Malik returns to the side and Mukesh Kumar was named in the ODI squad as well.
India’s ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shardul Thakur, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Mukesh… pic.twitter.com/PGRexBAGFZ
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2023
In the spin department, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja were automatic selections, leaving no room for surprises. The three-match ODI series is set to commence on July 27 in Barbados.
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’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.
