IND vs WI: Indian Squad For ODI & T20 Series Announced; Rohit Sharma To Return As Skipper

Ahead of the 3-match ODI series between India and West Indies, starting from February 6th, BCCI has announced the 18-man squad for the 3 ODIs. Rohit Sharma, who missed the South African tour due to injury, returns as the captain of the team with KL Rahul as his deputy. 

Apart from the regular players, there are a few surprise picks in this squad. Deepak Hooda has received his maiden international call-up. Kuldeep Yadav has made his return to the international circuit, Washington Sundar returns from injury. While Ravi Bishnoi has also received his maiden international call-up. 

With Rohit Sharma as captain and KL Rahul as vice-captain, India has announced Ruturaj Gaikwad in the sqaud - possibly as a backup opener. Apart from him, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan have retained their spot after the fifties against South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer have also been retained, and with Deepak Hooda and Rishabh Pant comprise of the batting. 

Coming to all-rounders and bowlers, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur are named in the squad. Yuzvendra Chahal has also been retained and will comprise the spin department along with Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar & Ravi Bishnoi. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Avesh Khan will lead the pace attack.

ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (Capt), KL Rahul (vc), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), D Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Y Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2022

In the T20I squad, Ishan Kishan, Venkatesh Iyer, Axar Patel & Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been given a spot while Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda & Prasidh Krishna are excluded. 

T20I squad: Rohit Sharma(Capt),KL Rahul (vc),Ishan Kishan,Virat Kohli,Shreyas Iyer,Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk),Venkatesh Iyer,Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi,Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2022

BCCI has announced that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami will be rested, while KL Rahul will be available from the 2nd ODI onwards. Ravindra Jadeja is in the final stage of recovering from his knee injury and is unavailable for ODIs and T20Is. Axar Patel will be available only for T20Is.

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami have been rested from the series.
KL Rahul will be available from 2nd ODI onwards.
R Jadeja is undergoing his final stage of recovery post his knee injury and will not be available for the ODIs and T20Is.
Axar Patel will be available for the T20Is.

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2022

The ODI series against West Indies is set to start from February 6th, and all the three ODIs will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.