After being rested for India’s triumphant Asia Cup-campaign, Virat Kohli has returned to the ODI squad for the first two ODIs against Windies. Uncapped Rishabh Pant has been added to the 14-man squad too while pace spearheads Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested.
Dinesh Karthik’s failure to capitalise on the opportunities has cost him dear as the senior batsman had to make way for Pant. The wicketkeeper-batsman had got the starts with the bat in the Asia Cup but failed to convert them. He had played all six matches in the Asia Cup and scored 146 runs at an average of 48.66. However, a strike rate of 71.21 seems to have convinced the selectors to try out Pant.
MUST READ – Mohammad Azharuddin And Rohit Sharma
Given India’s recent woes with the middle-order, trying out Pant looks like a good option. The youngster has been in good form this year. He scored a century in England and backed it up with a 84-ball 92 runs knock against West Indies. Prior to that, he had impressed in the Indian Premier League and for India A. Given Dhoni’s diminishing ability as a finisher, Pant looks like a wise option.
Ravindra Jadeja, who impressed when recalled partway through the Asia Cup, has retained his place. On the other hand, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, injured mid-way through the Asia Cup, have missed out. Shardul Thakur, who had been out with hip and groin soreness, has returned to the squad.
MUST READ – Virat Kohli On The Verge Of Breaking Another Sachin Tendulkar Record
Middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav is also not a part of the squad as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the final of the Asia Cup.
The ODI series begins on October 21 in Guwahati before moving to Visakhapatnam on October 24.
ALSO LIKE – Supremely Talented Prithvi Shaw Shouldn’t Be Rushed Into Anything: Virat Kohli
India Squad:
Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, KL Rahul