Team India’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle is all set to get underway with the two-match Test series against West Indies, starting July 12 in Dominica.  

For the West Indies series, the BCCI selection committee on Friday (June 23) announced India’s 16-member squad, which included some fresh faces like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mukesh Kumar.

The squad also featured a surprising name in Navdeep Saini, who was gearing up to play in the County Championship. The right-arm quick, who was signed by Worcestershire as their overseas player for the upcoming four matches, is set to miss three games as the schedule is going to clash with the Test series in the Caribbean.

Saini, who will make his Worcestershire debut against Derbyshire at New Road on Sunday (June 25), himself was left surprised by the call-up and said that he received the news about his inclusion after arriving in UK.

“I came here to play county (cricket), landing today itself, and the moment I got out from the airport, I received the news that I have been selected for the West Indies tour,” Saini told The Indian Express.

“Honestly, I was not expecting this call. Yes, during the IPL, I was training with the Dukes ball because I thought I might get picked as a net bowler or would be among the standbys for the World Test Championship final,” Saini further said.

“Hopefully, I will get to play one match before going to the West Indies. It will be good preparation for me to get some overs under my belt,” he added.

Saini, who has claimed four wickets from his two appearances in Test cricket so far, was hopeful of doing well if given a chance.

“This will be my second tour to the West Indies. Last time I didn’t get a chance to play, but hopefully, this time I will. I know the conditions. The pitches are low and slow and similar to those back home,” he concluded.