IND vs WI: Virat Kohli Opts Rest For West Indies T20I Series; Ravichandran Ashwin To Return To The T20I Squad - Report

Indian cricket team’s T20I squad for the West Indies T20I series is likely to be announced on July 11 with reports suggesting that senior player Virat Kohli has opted to rest for the complete white-ball series in the Caribbean.

On July 6, the BCCI announced a 16-member squad for the West Indies ODI series with opener Shikhar Dhawan set to lead the side and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be his deputy. It was a surprise to see key players like skipper Rohit Sharma, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah being rested for the 50-over format along with Kohli.

Virat Kohli himself asked for rest in the West Indies T20I series: BCCI source

Kohli is having a tough time on the pitch with the bat and the songs of his critics off the field make it even worse for the former Indian captain to focus on his game.

Kohli was rested for the South Africa T20I series along with other senior players and top BCCI sources have mentioned the 33-year-old wants a break for the West Indies T20Is as well.

“It was team management’s decision to rest Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah for the ODI series along with skipper himself,” a senior BCCI source in the know of things told PTI on conditions of anonymity,” a senior BCCI source close to the developments told news agency PTI.

“However for the T20I series, all others are playing but Kohli has himself asked for a break. He has informed that he will be available for all series after the West Indies tour,” he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin to return to the T20I squad against WI

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who last played a T20I game for India against New Zealand in November 2021, is expected to return to the T20I fold for the five-match T20Is against West Indies.

“Ashwin is very much in the scheme of things and he will be playing the T20 series in the West Indies. Also, Washington Sundar is still not fit to play and by the time he gets fit, he will be playing for Lancashire in the County Championship and Royal London Cup,” the source added.

India will start the Caribbean tour with three ODIs followed by the five T20 Internationals. All three ODIs and the first T20I will be played in Trinidad while the second and third T20I will be held in St Kitts. The last two games of the shortest format will move to Florida in the United States of America (USA).

Also Read: IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli’s T20I Future Is In Doubt- Reports