The BCCI selection committee on Wednesday (July 5) announced Team India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against the West Indies.

While young batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma have earned their maiden India call-ups, Rinku Singh’s non-selection raised a lot of eyebrows.

Meanwhile, a report published in The Indian Express claims that Rinku will travel with the national team to Ireland for a three-match T20I series next month.

According to the report, the selectors didn’t want to throw a completely young side against the West Indies. Instead, they wanted to try everyone series by series.

Notably, Rinku impressed one and all with his exploits in the IPL 2023 season. In 14 innings, the southpaw amassed 474 runs at a brilliant average and strike rate of 59.25 and 149.52 respectively. More than the impressive numbers, he captured everyone’s imagination by finishing games for KKR from difficult situations.

“Rinku and other players who did well in the IPL will fly to Ireland as the selection committee doesn’t want to try everyone at one stage. There are seven players of the Indian ODI team who are not going to play T20 as those players are key for us going ahead as they will be playing Asia Cup in late August,” The Indian Express quoted a BCCI source as saying.

Besides Rinku, Ruturaj Gaikwad will be reportedly flown for the Ireland series. Keeping the upcoming Asian Games in mind, the selection committee has decided to try players on a phase by phase basis.

As per the report, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has asked the board to have more India A tours going ahead and fringe players will be tried there before being given a rope in the senior Indian team.

Having taken charge as chief selector earlier this week, Agarkar is keen to bring a fresh perspective on T20 cricket.

Shubman Gill is the only player in India’s T20I squad for the Wes Indies who features in the Test side regularly. The batting line-up also includes Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as the two wicket-keeping options.

(The Indian Express Inputs)