New Delhi: India have announced their squads for the upcoming home series against the West Indies, with Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi receiving their maiden ODI call-upswhile prominent names such as Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant have been left out of the limited-overs squads.
India are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is against the West Indies, beginning on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram. The ODI series will also see the return of veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohliwhile Shubman Gill will continue as captain and KL Rahul has been named vice-captain.
The squad announcement has also brought changes to India’s plans for the Asian Games. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been moved from the Asian Games squad into the ODI team, while the T20I squad includes 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi receive maiden ODI call-ups
Punjab all-rounder Naman Dhir and Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi have been included in India’s 15-member ODI squad for the West Indies series.
Dhir has played 14 List A matches for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 357 runs at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 106. He has also recorded four half-centuries, with a highest score of 97, and has taken seven wickets with his off-spin.
His strongest performances in recent years have largely come in T20 cricket, particularly during his association with Mumbai Indians. His ODI selection, therefore, provides an opportunity to assess him in the 50-over format.
Nabi, meanwhile, has established himself as a seam-bowling option for Jammu and Kashmir. He has taken 56 wickets in 36 List A matcheswhile maintaining an economy rate of 5.20. His domestic record includes significant contributions in the Ranji Trophy as well.
Both players are part of India’s wider pool rather than being guaranteed starters. The NDTV report notes that they are more likely to serve as reserve options for the ODI series.
Hardik Pandya misses out as selectors seek full fitness
Hardik Pandya is one of the biggest names missing from India’s squad.
According to the NDTV report, Pandya is expected to be declared fit on September 20, but the selection panel wants him to demonstrate that he can bowl his full quota of 10 overs before considering him for the ODI team.
The report states that some within the BCCI wanted Pandya to return directly against the West Indies if he received clearance from the Centre of Excellence. However, the selectors have taken a more cautious approach and want him to prove his bowling workload with India A first.
Pandya’s absence has also influenced another selection decision. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had initially been named in India’s Asian Games squad, has been moved into the ODI squad as a seam-bowling all-rounder.
The move provides India with another player capable of contributing with both bat and ball while Pandya works towards a full return.
Rishabh Pant left out of West Indies squads
Rishabh Pant has also been left out of both the ODI and T20I squads for the West Indies series.
According to the report, the selectors considered feedback from members of the team management regarding Pant’s recent white-ball performances. Pant has nevertheless been given an important domestic assignment, having been named captain of the Rest of India team for the upcoming Irani Cup. Sarfaraz Khan will serve as his deputy.
Pant’s exclusion is particularly notable because India have selected Dhruv Jurel in the ODI squad. Jurel is among the wicketkeeping options alongside KL Rahul.
Pant remains part of the wider national setup, but his immediate route back into India’s ODI side will now involve his performances in domestic cricket and future selection opportunities.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return
One of the major features of the ODI squad is the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Both experienced batters have been selected for the three-match ODI series, with Shubman Gill continuing as captain.
The ODI squad also includes Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, giving India a mix of established international players and younger options.
The three ODIs will be played at Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, Guwahati on September 30 and New Chandigarh on October 3.
KL Rahul has been named vice-captain in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who will lead India’s T20I side.
Ravindra Jadeja returns to the ODI squad
Ravindra Jadeja has also returned to India’s ODI setup.
The 37-year-old all-rounder gets another opportunity after Axar Patel was included in the Asian Games squad and Harsh Dubey suffered a hamstring injury. According to the report, Jadeja is expected to play all three matches against the West Indies.
Jadeja’s inclusion gives India an experienced left-arm spin option and another all-rounder in the middle order.
He joins Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav and other bowling options in a squad that also includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar.
Nitish Kumar Reddy moved from Asian Games squad
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection is another important aspect of the announcement.
The all-rounder had initially been selected for India’s Asian Games campaign but has now been moved to the ODI squad for the West Indies series.
The decision is linked to the absence of Pandya and India’s need for seam-bowling all-rounders. Reddy therefore gets an opportunity to strengthen his credentials in the 50-over format.
His inclusion also reflects India’s effort to build options around the seam-bowling all-rounder role ahead of future ODI assignments.
T20I squad includes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
India’s T20I squad is largely made up of players selected for the Asian Games, with some changes.
Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The squad includes Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav.
Sooryavanshi’s inclusion continues the teenager’s rapid rise in India’s T20I setup. The 15-year-old has already attracted considerable attention after being given opportunities in international cricket.
The T20I series against the West Indies will begin on October 6 in Lucknow, according to the latest squad announcement.
India balancing experience and emerging players
The West Indies series selections underline India’s approach of combining experienced international players with emerging talent.
In the ODI squad, Rohit and Kohli return alongside Gill, Rahul and Jadeja, while Dhir and Nabi receive their first call-ups. Reddy also gets an opportunity to establish himself as an all-round option.
In the T20I setup, the emphasis is more heavily tilted towards younger players, with Sooryavanshi among the most prominent names.
The absence of Pandya and Pant also leaves both players with separate routes back into the senior limited-overs setup. Pandya’s immediate focus is on proving his bowling fitness, while Pant will lead Rest of India in the Irani Cup.
West Indies series begins September 27
India’s home assignment against the West Indies will begin with the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. The second ODI will be played in Guwahati on September 30, followed by the third in New Chandigarh on October 3.
The five-match T20I series will follow the ODIs, with India’s T20I squad led by Shreyas Iyer.
The selection decisions provide opportunities for several players to strengthen their claims, while established names such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja return to the ODI side.
For the selectors, the series will also provide an opportunity to assess players such as Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 50-over format.
With two new ODI call-ups, the return of Rohit and Kohli, and the absence of Pandya and Pant, India’s squad announcement has created several talking points ahead of the West Indies tour.