India is set to take on West Indies after completing their ongoing England tour as both teams prepare for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will take place in Australia from October 16 to November 13. The Men in Blue will face the two-time T20 champions in five T20I matches as well as three ODIs. While the Indian team for the three ODIs have been announced, reports suggest that the selection committee has also finalised the team for the T20I series as well.
According to The Indian Express and Hindustan Times, former Indian captain Virat Kohli and veteran pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the T20I series. The duo featured in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against England, while Bumrah also played the first ODI vs England, scalping six wickets for 19 runs.
Kohli has been struggling with form recently and although he has been rested for the West Indies tour, reports suggest that the selection committee led by Chetan Sharma will continue to back Kohli as he remains an integral part of the team for the T20 world cup.
Another veteran of the game, Ravichandran Ashwin, will also get a chance to prove his mettle in the upcoming matches against West Indies. Ashwin, who last played a T20I for India against New Zealand in 2021 has been selected as he is also in the mix for the World Cup squad as well.
A played likely to be dropped in young pace sensation Umran Malik, who earned his maiden India call-up after his outstanding show in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Umran has returned to India following the T20I series win over England, having played in three matches (two against Ireland and one against England). In this time, he only managed to scalp two wickets but conceded runs at an economy of 12.44.
The five-match T20I series against the West Indies will start on July 29 and wrap up by August 7. The first match will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, followed by the other two games at Warner Park in St. Kitts.
The series will conclude with the final two games to be played at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Florida.
