Picture Credit: Twitter/@BCCI
Even as the Indian team is currently eyeing to do well in the white-ball games against England after a heart-breaking defeat in the rescheduled fifth Test match, they would have set an eye on the West Indies tour.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the India squad for the three-ODIs and while the squad has a few expected names, the decision to not select certain players have raised a few eyebrows.
Here in this article, let us have a look at 5 players who India should have included in the ODI series against West Indies.
1. Prithvi Shaw
One name that has constantly been overlooked for the past few India series despite performing consistently in the opportunities that came his way is Prithvi Shaw. While Shaw has made an impact at the top of the order for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), in his List A career too, the right-handed batter boasts of an average of over 56 and a strike rate of close to 125. Despite incredible numbers and the ability to take the game from the opposition in a matter of a few overs, Shaw has neither been considered for the T20I fixtures and has failed to make it to the ODI team.
2. Hardik Pandya
Another big name that could have been included in the ODI series against the West Indies is that of Hardik Pandya. The senior India all-rounder had taken an extended break after the T20 World Cup last year to work on his fitness and has since then proved to be an asset for both Gujarat Titans as well as the Indian team in T20I matches. However, it seems that Hardik hasn't been named in the ODI team probably as part of his workload management.
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
While Bhuvneshwar Kumar was struggling to regain his top-form and there were talks of the team management perhaps thinking of looking beyond him, the senior India pacer has responded in fine fashion and answered his critics with his performances. India's potent new-ball weapon has found a way to trouble the batters with his swing and has even been exceptional at the death in recent times, using all his experience. In such great form, the team could have given him more games under his belt. Moreover, Bhuvi was also not part of the ODI squad set against England which puts doubt over the thinking of the team management and the selection committee.
4. Mohammed Shami
Several reports have suggested that Mohammed Shami is not part of the T20 World Cup plans for Team India. In that case, his only involvement with the Indian side is with the Test team at the moment. Taking this into consideration, he could easily have been included in the ODI series against West Indies. There is an ODI World Cup in 2023 in India and Shami could be a great asset to have on the team for that marquee event. With not many ODIs and Test this year, this can not even be seen as a workload management decision. Does that mean India are looking beyond Shami even in ODIs? But then why was he picked for the ODIs against England? Such questions remain unanswered at this moment.
5. Krunal Pandya
Even Krunal Pandya seems to have been overlooked from the scheme of things. Despite showing an improved show in the Indian Premier League for his new franchise Lucknow Super Giants, Krunal failed to impress the selectors who did not select him either in the T20I team and have now ignored him from a place in the ODI squad against West Indies. Perhaps Krunal would have to chip in more with the ball to make his presence felt as there have been many contenders for the role that he plays with the bat. For now, it will be a waiting game for the elder of the Pandya brothers and a time for him to continue to deliver promising performances in the domestic circuit.