Wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson has returned to the Indian ODI squad after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the teams for Tests and 50-over matches against West Indies next month. Samson, who last played an ODI against New Zealand in November last year, will return to the white-ball team with a chance to stake his claim for a spot in the World Cup squad. While Suryakumar Yadav, who recorded three first-ball ducks against Australia in March has retained his spot. The rest of the team remains mostly the same with the likes of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer still out due to their respective injuries.
Rahul, who has been the first-choice wicket-keeper batter in ODIs, is recovering from his thigh surgery and hence that has opened up a spot for Samson as the option with the gloves behind the stumps. With Iyer not there, Surya has gotten an elongated run in the middle order while Ruturaj Gaikwad has earned a recall in the ODIs.
Ishan Kishan despite below-par returns in the last few matches has retained his spot while the bowling attack has remained more or less the same with Mohammed Shami resting and Mukesh Kumar getting a chance like in Test matches as well.
Arshdeep Singh, who is currently plying his trade for Kent in County Championship, has been ignored in ODIs while Washington Sundar, who made a return in the ongoing TNPL after recovering from an injury he sustained during the IPL has also not been named in the squad.
Team India squad for West Indies ODIs: Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shardul Thakur, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.
