MSK Prasad Reveals Reason Behind Absence Of Hardik Pandya, Prithvi Shaw

The selectors announced the squad for India’s tour of West Indies on Sunday (July 20).  The selectors announced the squad for all the three teams – ODI, T20I and Test. India will play three ODIs, three T20Is and two Tests against the West Indies. Most of the names in the squad were very much expected. However, two of the biggest shocks were the absence of Prithvi Shaw and Hardik Pandya.

While Shaw is a regular part of the Test team now, Pandya is regular across formats. However, the two could not make it to any of the squads. Chief selector MSK Prasad has revealed that both the players were not picked because they were not fully fit.

“Hardik Pandya and Prithvi Shaw injured, so not part of the team,” Prasad said.

Hardik Pandya recently played in the World Cup and was part of the playing eleven in all the games. However, he was having some trouble with his back. Pandya has faced back trouble in the past too and perhaps this is what made the selectors rest him. Shaw, on the other hand, recently missed India A’s tour of West Indies due to a hip injury.

In Shaw’s absence, Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul are set to open in Tests. While in ODIs and T20Is, India will be relying on the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Krunal Pandya to play the role of the allrounder.

Here is the full schedule of India’s tour to West Indies: