A notable squad adjustment has taken place within the Indian cricket setup midway through their ongoing ODI assignment against the West Indies. Ahead of the upcoming T20I series, all-rounder Washington Sundar has been officially released from the roster. In his place, the selection committee has drafted in Naman Dhir, executing a calculated move planned around India's looming Test commitments against New Zealand.
Prioritising Red-Ball Preparation Ahead of Ranji Trophy
The senior selection panel arrived at the decision to excuse Washington Sundar from the shortest format following consultations with the team management. According to the BCCI, the primary rationale is to afford him uninterrupted game time in red-ball cricket. The new domestic Ranji Trophy campaign begins on October 11, giving Sundar an ideal window to represent his state side and build substantial match rhythm before the Test series begins.
His exclusion clears a path for Naman Dhir to join the T20I contingent. Having spent time around the national group previously, Dhir now possesses an immediate platform to push his credentials during the bilateral T20I fixtures against the West Indies.
India's Revised T20I Squad Breakdown
Following this personnel swap, India's updated T20I unit will be captained by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. The top and middle-order options include dynamic batters Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, while Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson share wicketkeeping responsibilities.
The versatile all-round and spin department features Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi. Rounding out the pace and utility slots are Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, and the newly added Naman Dhir.
Earlier Pace Bowling Replacement in the ODI Lineup
This adjustment in the T20I group follows an earlier forced change in the ODI setup. During the second one-dayer held in Guwahati, frontline pacer Prasidh Krishna suffered a left hamstring injury. The physical setback ruled him out of contention for the third and final ODI encounter.
Reacting swiftly to Krishna's absence, the selectors drafted in fast bowler Anshul Kamboj to replenish the squad. Kamboj was instructed to join the Indian camp directly in Chandigarh to complete his match preparations alongside the team.
India's Updated ODI Squad Roster
For the concluding ODI, the squad is led by Shubman Gill, supported by senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The batting reserves are bolstered by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, alongside wicketkeeping options KL Rahul, who acts as vice-captain, and Dhruv Jurel. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy provide all-round stability, backed by wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The bowling arsenal is rounded off by fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Aaqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Naman Dhir, and the newly summoned Anshul Kamboj.
