Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer excluded both young openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan from his India XI for the upcoming first ODI against the West Indies in Barbados.
Instead, the 45-year-old Wasim Jaffer opted to have Sanju Samson in the side and wants India to give the Kerala cricketer a consistent run in the XI as Team India builds for the Asia Cup 2023, and, in the larger picture, the World Cup 2023.
After winning the Test series, India will take on West Indies in the ODI format, in a 3-match ODI series starting July 27. The first two ODIs will be played in Barbados and the third game in Trinidad.
From now to the World Cup 2023, India have a maximum of only 12 ODIs to give chances to the fringe players and finalize their squad for the tournament in India. So even though the West Indies – who have failed to qualify for the World Cup – may not be the best opposition to prepare against, this series still gives a good opportunity to the likes of Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, and Umran Malik to make their case for inclusion in India’s World Cup squad.
Wasim Jaffer’s India XI for 1st ODI vs West Indies
Wasim Jaffer’s India XI for 1st ODI vs West Indies included interesting selections, such as Sanju Samson over Ishan Kishan, and Kuldeep Yadav over Yuzvendra Chahal. Jaffer also wishes the tearaway speedster Umran Malik gets a go in the side ahead of Unadkat and Mukesh Kumar.
Wasim Jaffer tweeted:
My India XI for the first ODI:
1. Rohit
2. Gill
3. Kohli
4. Sanju (wk)
5. Hardik
6. SKY
7. Jadeja
8. Axar
9. Kuldeep
10. Siraj
11. Umran
India’s ODI squad vs West Indies:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.
Update: Mohammed Siraj has been released from the squad; the pacer is given rest from the ODIs and has returned back to India. No replacement is named as of now.
