India’s preparations for the upcoming 2023 World Cup are well underway, and their One-Day International (ODI) squad is slowly shaping up. With a tour of the West Indies starting from July 12, all eyes will be on how those named in the ODI squad perform in the three matches.
However, three notable omissions from the ODI Squad have sparked curiosity.
Despite a hat-trick of golden ducks against Australia, Suryakumar Yadav has retained his place in the side. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson also join him in the squad.
However, it seems that the pace bowling department is facing some challenges. Jasprit Bumrah is still recovering from an injury, and Mohammad Shami has been given a well-deserved rest for the series. In this series against West Indies, the responsibility of leading India’s pace attack will fall upon Mohammad Siraj.
However, it’s worth noting that certain players who have been part of India’s ODI plans thus far are conspicuously absent from the squad for the West Indies tour. The selectors and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have remained tight-lipped about the reasons behind these exclusions. Let’s explore and understand the probable reasons for such omissions.
Mohammad Shami
Shami, a veteran of 90 ODIs for India, has been left out of the squad. With an impressive record of 162 wickets at an average of 25.99 and an economy rate of 5.61, Shami’s absence raises questions. It appears that Shami has been rested for the West Indies tour after enduring a demanding playing schedule and shouldering a major workload in recent months.
Considering Bumrah’s ongoing recovery process, it would be unwise to risk Shami’s fitness. He is expected to play a pivotal role in India’s bowling attack and may well lead the pace battery during the much-anticipated World Cup in 2023.
Washington Sundar
Sundar, who has featured in 16 ODIs for Team India, amassing 233 runs and claiming 16 wickets, is excluded from the squad. The presence of four spinners already in the lineup could account for his absence. Moreover, injuries might be the primary factor behind Sundar’s exclusion, as he has missed a substantial amount of cricket due to various fitness concerns. His recent performances, with a meagre 21 runs and two wickets in four ODIs in 2023, might have contributed to the selectors’ decision to temporarily halt his journey towards the 2023 World Cup.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, a promising name in Indian cricket who has made a sensational start to his T20 career, has yet to establish himself in ODIs. With only three matches under his belt and a maiden wicket still eluding him, Arshdeep’s lack of breakthroughs seems to be the primary cause for his omission from India’s ODI squad. Despite his ability to generate swing and excel in the death overs, the selectors do not currently view him as part of their plans for CWC 23.
Full Squad Details for the West Indies Series
The ODI squad for the West Indies series includes Rohit Sharma as the captain, along with Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav as specialist batters. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are thewicket-keepers, Hardik Pandya is the vice-captain, and Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja andAxar Patel are the other all-rounders.Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, and Mukesh Kumar make up the bowling unit.
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