Though the BCCI is yet to announce the Indian T20I squad for the five-match T20I series in the West Indies, as per a Hindustan Times report, out-of-form batter Virat Kohli and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested for the first three matches.
The first T20I match between West Indies and India will be played in Tarouba, Trinidad on July 29. The second and third t20Is will be played in Basseterre on August 1 and 2, while the last two T20Is will be played in Florida, the USA on August 6 and 7.
The report also stated that KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav, who were both dealing with their respective injuries, are in contention to be picked, subject to fitness and the squad will also see the return of R Ashwin in T20 format.
However, express fast bowler Umran Malik was not picked in the Indian squad.
Ashwin and Kuldeep could be vying for the second spinner’s slot at the mega event with young Ravi Bishnoi, who was seen in action in the England series. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal may already have done enough to be picked.
If Kohli misses the West Indies T20I matches, he will only have the Asia Cup in August and the three home T20Is against Australia in September to find his groove back before the T20 World Cup begins in October.
Skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid though have backed Kohli to return to form.
In the West Indies T20Is, the focus would be on trying top-order combinations. Sharma and Dravid have appeared keen to have one left-hander in the top order. They have the option of playing Ishan Kishan, who has been earmarked as an opener, to do the job. Or they can also slot Rishabh Pant at the top, as he recently opened for India against England.
(Hindustan Times inputs)
