India squad for West Indies Test series: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad earn maiden call-up, Cheteshwar Pujara axed

Another major development in India’s Test setup includes Ajinkya Rahane’s promotion as the vice-captain.

India squad for West Indies Test series: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad earn maiden call-up, Cheteshwar Pujara axed

Team India (Image via Twitter)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced India’s Test squad for the two-match series against the West Indies. Mumbai batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad earned their maiden call-ups while veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara had to face the axe. Pacer Umesh Yadav who was included in the WTC Final playing XI ahead of R Ashwin has also been snubbed. 

Another major development in India’s Test setup includes Ajinkya Rahane’s promotion as the vice-captain. While Rohit Sharma has retained his position as the captain of the side, Rahane has gained back his vice-captain status after making a comeback to the Test squad. 

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Meanwhile, there are still no signs of Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer. Nevertheless, the BCCI Selection Committee has gone with Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, and Navdeep Saini as their pacers. Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Axar Patel are the all-rounders with KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan being the two wicketkeepers.

India’s Test squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.

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Mohammed Shami rested for the West Indies Test series

Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj (Image via BCCI)

While Umesh Yadav has faced the axe, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has been rested for the West Indies Test series, considering his workload. Shami featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and then straightaway joined Team India in England for the World Test Championship Final.

Talking about India vs West Indies Test itinerary, the two teams will play as many as two Tests which will be a part of the new WTC cycle. While the first Test will be played in Windsor Park, Dominica from 12-16 July, the second Test will be played at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad from 20-24 July.

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