The stage is set for an electrifying October of cricket as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveils the T20I squad of 15 players for the five-match home series against the West Indies. To be played in Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, from 6th to 17th October, respectively.
Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer and vice-captaincy of Tilak Varma, the team is a mix of experienced and young guns. While the batting line-up has its fair share of big hitters such as Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, and the pace attack has left-arm wonder Arshdeep in the absence of rested Jasprit Bumrah, the selection committee has made an exciting announcement about three players.
They missed the T20I series against England, which was played in July and are looking forward to scoring tons on home soil.
Here are the three players from Team India who have missed the T20I series against England:
1. Kuldeep Yadav
Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav's exclusion from the England leg and the Zimbabwe tour caused a stir. The 31-year-old had played only one match in the T20 World Cup in February 2026, taking 1-14 against Pakistan. The 31-year-old leg spinner missed the tour after a mediocre IPL 2026 with the Delhi Capitals; in 12 matches, he picked 10 wickets at 10.29 an over.
The off-spinner, who boasts a staggering record of 95 wickets from 54 T20 internationals at 13.74, is now back in the squad, and the mystery spinner will want to show the crowd that his magical variations and match-winning skills have not faded away, considering he has two five-wicket hauls, including a career-best 5-17.
Also read: West Indies announce India tour squads: Kamil Pooran earns maiden T20I call-up
2. Nitish Kumar Reddy
The young pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has overcome a setback to make a welcome return to the national team. The 23-year-old was nursing a left quadriceps injury, which ruled him out of the recent ODI series against Afghanistan in Dharamsala and worsened in Chennai. The injury also kept him away from the high-profile tours of Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe.
The setback appears to be behind him as the all-rounder displayed his ability to turn the game on his back as a bowler and a hitter during the recent T20I series in Arun Jaitley Stadium against the neighboring rivals, Afghanistan. In the past seven T20 internationals, the left-hander has bagged nine wickets at 16.66, while also scoring 91 aggressive runs at a strike rate of 168.51, making him India's most valuable multi-dimensional player.
3.Mayank Yadav
The fast bowler has returned to the national team after missing the recent England series, and he made a sparkling return during the Zimbabwe tour in Harare. The speedster played his first international match in almost two years, as he dismantled Brian Bennett with the first ball to register 2-18.
Mayank, who has been in terrific form this season, bowled a spell of 3-29 in the last match to oust Bennett, Wessly Madhevere, and Brad Evans. The quick bowler has grabbed nine wickets from six T20 internationals at 6.73 an over with the ability to create pressure, which will test the West Indian batting lineup's character at various grounds from Lucknow to Bengaluru.
Looking Ahead
With tactical leadership and firepower, including the three players' returns from injury, the Men in Blue can make a splash in the Caribbean region. Will the Windies withstand the dual threat of spin and seam, or will the Indian contingent dominate the hosts?