Four uncapped players in India squad for home Tests against West Indies
Four uncapped players have been named in India’s 15-member Test squad for the forthcoming home series against the West Indies.
Among India’s fast-bowling spearheads, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, who were part of the Asia Cup set-up, have been rested, while Ishant Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are both out with injuries.
Indian team: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, C Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), H Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, M Shami, Umesh Yadav, M Siraj, Shardul Thakur
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 29, 2018
Uncapped batsmen Prithvi Shaw, who was also called up for the last two Tests of the five-match series against England which India lost 4-1, and Mayank Agarwal have been added to bolster the batting line-up.
The 18-year-old Shaw, who led India to Under-19 World Cup glory earlier this year, averages 56.72 with the bat in first-class cricket, while Agarwal averages 50.32 in the format.
Mohammed Siraj, who has only represented India in one T20I, and Shardul Thakur, who has featured in five ODIs and seven T20Is, have been called up to add the numbers in the pace attack – Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav are in the line-up too. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav as the three frontline spinners in the line-up.
In 14 first-class matches, Shaw has scored 1418 runs at an impressive 56.72
India’s regular captain, Virat Kohli, who was rested for the Asia Cup which India won, will be back leading the side.
The two Tests will be played in Rajkot and Hyderabad, with the first starting from October 4.
Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur
