India’s squad for T20I series against West Indies announced

India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies to be played in the Caribbean Islands and in Florida, USA was picked by the Senior Men’s Selection Committee on Wednesday

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Verma’s stellar performances in the IPL have paved a way to the Indian T20I squad with the two quick-scoring left-handers chosen as part of a 15-member squad to play against West Indies from August 3. It is their first call-up to the senior side in the shortest format.

Hardik Pandya captains the team which will play five games in the Caribbean and the USA, with SuryaKumar Yadav named his deputy. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are yet to represent India in this format since the exit in the semifinals of T20 World Cup. Ravindra Jadeja the hero of IPL 2023 was also not named in the squad. 2 prime fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami has not been picked either.

This is the first squad chosen by the newly installed selected panel which is led by Ajit Agarkar and they instantly appear to have bought into the idea of needing batters who can target the bowlers without taking any time, starting with the two rookies. Jaiswal already left his mark and has developed his image as a powerplay smasher since he played many amazing knocks in the IPL including the fastest 13 ball fifty against Kolkata Night Riders. Verma on the other hand was the backbone of Mumbai Indian’s middle order along with SuryaKumar Yadav. The southpaw has an impressive average of 40+ in T20Is that too without affecting his healthy strike rate of 142.54.

 Rinku Singh, who became a revelation by playing that very same brand of cricket in this year’s IPL, remains on the outside. This despite the squad looking light on finishers with Hardik being the only recognised option.

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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.