On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, after a marathon meeting, the national selection committee led by Chetan Sharma decided to bring back Kuldeep Yadav to India’s white bowl squad. Right-arm wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi is also selected in the squad and will play his maiden international series. On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin is out for one and a half months with ankle and wrist injuries.
The meeting was held at National Cricket Academy, Bangalore. Rohit Sharma was already present in the NCA facility to take his fitness test post-injury recovery. After passing the test, Rohit joined the selectors to pick the squad for T20 and ODI series against West Indies.
Last year was a challenging one for Kuldeep Yadav as he was not performing throughout the season and then sustained a severe injury in his knee, due to which he wasn’t able to be a part of IPL 2021’s second stage. Since recovery, Kuldeep is yet to play a competitive match. Kuldeep has taken 107 wickets in 65 matches in ODIs with an average of 28.34 and 41 wickets in 23 matches in T20s with an average of 14.21.
Bishnoi has been one of the brilliant talents found in IPL. Bishnoi was first an essential part of the Punjab Kings side and now has been picked up by the new Franchise Lucknow Super Giants from the drafts for the upcoming IPL. Bishnoi has taken 49 wickets in 42 domestic matches.
It was also learned that Virat Kohli will be part of both the T20 and ODI series and will not be rested.