After their defeat in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, the Indian cricket team is gearing up for their next challenge. Their upcoming red ball cricket series against the West Indies, comprising a 2-match Test series along with white-ball cricket, poses a tough task. Recent reports suggest that senior players such as Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav might not be part of the IND vs WI series.
India’s consecutive losses in the WTC Finals serve as the main reason for this potential exclusion. The underwhelming performances of the senior players in the squad led to India’s 209-run loss against the mighty Australians. As the selection committee looks ahead to future assignments, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mukesh Kumar are being considered as replacements for the duo, as the committee aims to groom the next generation of players.
The Indian team will embark on a month-long tour of the West Indies, commencing with the two Test matches scheduled to begin on July 12. This will be followed by three ODIs and five T20Is, where a fresh team led by Hardik Pandya will take the field, with IPL performers expected to be rewarded with opportunities.
While another defeat in the WTC Final will be disappointing, there is a growing belief that the Shiv Sunder Das-led selection committee and head coach Rahul Dravid will explore different options for the next WTC cycle, which commences with the series in the Caribbean. At present, Pujara and Umesh appear to be the weak links, having struggled to perform consistently. Former national selector Devang Gandhi expressed his confidence in young talent, stating, “I believe Yashasvi Jaiswal is ready for international cricket. He has showcased his potential through double hundreds in Ranji, Irani, and Duleep Trophy matches. He possesses a solid temperament and can be groomed with sufficient opportunities to grow.”
However, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of an A Tour program by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since December’s tour of Bangladesh. A former national selector criticized this absence, stating, “Without an A tour program, it is uncertain who is ready. In the past, we had players like Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari, Mohammed Siraj, and Navdeep Saini, who were groomed through consistent A tours and shadow series. But now, the situation is unclear. Currently, the only form bowler is Mukesh Kumar, but he is a seamer and not an express pacer.”
