Young Indian batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma have received their first-ever call-ups to the national T20I squad for the upcoming West Indies Tour. Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the captain for the five-match series, with Suryakumar Yadav as his deputy. However, star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not be part of the T20I squad, although they are included in the ODI and Test squads. Additionally, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has made a comeback to the T20I team.

This squad marks the first selection made under the leadership of the newly appointed chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ajit Agarkar. Varma, who has been an impressive member of the Mumbai Indians team for the last two seasons, has attracted the attention of the national selection panel with his striking record of a 142-plus strike rate in 47 games while batting at No. 5.

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On the other hand, Jaiswal recently received his maiden Test call-up for the West Indies series. Alongside Jaiswal, the opening options for the team include Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. Sanju Samson, along with Kishan, is available as a wicketkeeping option. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya bring valuable experience to the team as two of the senior-most players on the side.

The selectors have also opted for a spin-heavy bowling attack, with Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi selected as spinners. In the pace department, the team comprises Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar. Prior to the team selection, there were discussions surrounding the inclusion of power-hitting batsman Rinku Singh from the Kolkata Knight Riders, but he did not make the final cut.

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“The Senior Men’s Selection Committee on Wednesday picked India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies to be played in the Caribbean Islands and in Florida, USA, ” the BCCI said in a release.

India’s T20I squad: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 5, 2023

India’s T20I squad: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.