The BCCI, on Friday (June 23), announced Team India’s Test and ODI squads for the upcoming full-fledged tour of West Indies. India are scheduled to play 2 Tests, 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is in the Caribbean.
As it usually happens, several picks in the squads have left the Indian cricket fraternity surprised. Soon after the squads were announced, several fans took to Twitter to express their surprise over the same. Most of the fans questioned selectors for not picking players on the basis of their performance in the Ranji Trophy.
After Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal made it to the Test squad ahead of the likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan and several other consistent performers of domestic cricket, the fans slammed the selectors for their picks. And it looks like the fans were not the only one who were surprised with the calls. Even fast-bowler Navdeep Saini has expressed his surprise over being recalled to the Test team.
Navdeep Saini surprised over his selection:
The right-arm pacer has not played a Test since January 2021 and not many including him were expecting him to be a part of the Test. That is why he had recently signed up with County outfit Worcestershire. Saini landed in England on Friday (June 23) to ply his trade for the club until the end of July.
However, he will have to cut short his stint in the County championship after being selected in the Test team. Speaking after his selection, the Delhi pacer said that he was left surprised by the call-up and said that he learnt about the news after landing in the United Kingdom.
“I came here to play county (cricket), landing today itself, and the moment I got out from the airport, I received the news that I have been selected for the West Indies tour,” Saini told The Indian Express from London.
India will play their opening Test in Dominica from July 12-16 while the second and final game will be held in Jamaica from July 20-24.
Also Read: India Tour of West Indies 2023: India ODI Squad Announced, Mukesh Kumar Earns Maiden Call-Up