Bumrah named in India squad for West Indies Tests, Nair dropped; Jadeja vice-captain

Jasprit Bumrah has been included in India’s Test squad for the West Indies series, while Devdutt Padikkal replaces an out-of-form Karun Nair. Ravindra Jadeja is named vice-captain for the two-match series starting in Ahmedabad on October 2

Dubai: India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was named in the Test squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies, while Devdutt Padikkal replaced an off-colour Karun Nair in the side.

Bumrah, who had played only three out of five Tests during India’s England tour due to workload management, has made himself available for the two-match series against the West Indies, which begins in Ahmedabad on October 2.

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Ravindra Jadeja was appointed vice-captain of the squad, which will be led by Shubman Gill. The second Test of the series will be played in Delhi from October 10.

“Bumrah is ready and keen to play both Tests against the West Indies,” said Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar. “We want the best for Bumrah, but the team always comes first. We have to be careful with big tournaments around the corner,” he added.

Regular vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who fractured his foot during the England series, is yet to fully recover and therefore was not available for selection.

“…hopefully, he will be available for the home Tests against South Africa in November,” Agarkar said.

Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan are the two wicket-keepers named in the squad to cover for Pant’s absence during the West Indies series.

The series against South Africa will consist of two Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati from November 14 to 26. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20 International series. The full tour will conclude with the final T20I on December 19.

Squad:
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N Jagadeesan (WK), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav.