In a much-anticipated announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies. The young left-handed batsmen, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma, secured their maiden call-ups to the Indian team. The series is scheduled to take place in the Caribbean and Florida, commencing on August 3.
Jaiswal and Varma showcased their impressive batting skills during the IPL 2023 season, representing Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians, respectively. Opening for Rajasthan Royals, Jaiswal emerged as the fifth-highest run-scorer, accumulating 625 runs at an impressive average of 43.21 and a striking strike rate of 181.13. His outstanding performance included one century and five half-centuries. On the other hand, Varma, who played as a middle-order batsman for Mumbai Indians, amassed 343 runs at an average of nearly 43, with a strike rate of 164.11.
The squad, chosen by the senior men's selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, also sees the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson. Another wicketkeeping option in the team is Ishan Kishan. Notably, the T20I squad still does not include senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya retaining his captaincy role. Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as Pandya's deputy.
Among other notable inclusions, Mukesh Kumar, who was previously named in the Test and ODI squads, has received a T20I call-up. However, Jitesh Sharma, the backup wicketkeeper in the last series against New Zealand, did not find a place in the squad. Rahul Tripathi, Washington Sundar, Deepak Hooda, and Shivam Mavi, who all featured in the New Zealand T20Is, were also not selected.
Axar Patel, who missed the New Zealand T20Is due to personal reasons, has made a comeback to the team. He is one of four spinners in the squad, alongside wrist spinners Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has not been included.
The pace department features the return of fast bowler Avesh Khan, who last played a T20I for India in August 2022 during the Asia Cup. Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh complete the pace battery, with Hardik Pandya expected to contribute with his pace bowling after recovering his fitness during the IPL.
The squad announcement came with a few surprises, as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh, both of whom had impressive IPL seasons, were not selected. Gaikwad, who scored 590 runs, was the seventh-highest run-scorer and the leading scorer for Chennai Super Kings, while Rinku, a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders, accumulated 474 runs at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate close to 150.
Before the T20I series, India will compete against West Indies in two Test matches and three ODIs. The T20I series will kick off in Trinidad on August 3, followed by two matches in Guyana on August 6 and 8. The final two games will take place at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida
India's T20I squad: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.