5 Surprise picks in India's ODI and T20I squads for West Indies series

After a disappointing performance against South Africa, the Indian team will play three ODIs and three T20Is against West Indies in February. West Indies last traveled to India to play an ODI series in December 2019. Both the teams will play the first ODI on February 6 followed by the second and the third match on February 9 and February 12 respectively. The three T20I games will be played on February 15, 18, and 20.

The Indian selectors announced the team for this series on January 26 and as expected Rohit Sharma returned to the setup after missing the last series against South Africa. Apart from Rohit, a few more players returned to the ODI and T20I teams.

Here are five surprise picks in India’s ODI and T20I squads for the West Indies series.

1. Ravi Bishnoi

Ever since Ravi Bishnoi played the Under-19 World Cup in 2020, he has been rated as one of the best spinners in domestic cricket. Bishnoi was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 scalps in six matches at an average of 10.65, an economy of 3.48, and a strike rate of 24.18.

During the IPL Auction 2020, Punjab Kings picked Bishnoi for Rs 2 crore. He took 12 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 31.33 and an economy of 7.37 in his debut season. In 2021, Bishnoi picked 12 wickets in nine matches at an average of 18.5 and an economy of 6.34.

In 17 List A games, Bishnoi has picked 24 wickets at an average of 36.25, an economy of 5.48, and a strike rate of 39.6. He has been picked by Lucknow Super Giants for INR four crores for the upcoming edition of the IPL along with KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis. Bishnoi will be keen on making an impact for India if he gets a chance to prove his mettle.

2. Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda has also been picked in the ODI squad for the first time. Hooda was first picked in the Indian team in November 2017 for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He was again picked during the Nidahas Trophy in 2018 but didn’t get an opportunity to make his debut.

Hooda has played for Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings in the IPL. He has scored 785 runs in 80 IPL matches at an average of 16.7 and a strike rate of 129.53. The batting all-rounder has taken nine wickets at an economy of 8.45.

In domestic cricket, Hooda represents his home state Baroda. Hooda has played 46 first-class matches and scored 2908 runs at an average of 42.76. In 74 List A games, he has made 2257 runs at an average of 38.25. In the domestic circuit, Hooda is known for his attacking batting skills and economical bowling. He would be a perfect fit in India’s struggling middle-order.

3. Avesh Khan

Avesh Khan, the 25-year-old fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh, has also been named in both the ODI and T20I squad. Avesh was also picked in India’s T20I squad last year against New Zealand. It is the maiden call for Avesh in the ODI team.

Avesh Khan was a net bowler during the Test series against England away from home. He is known for his pace and also the way he has nailed his yorkers in the final overs of the innings during the IPL.

Avesh was a part of the Delhi Capitals team until the last season of the IPL. During the 2021 season, he picked 24 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.37 and an average of 18.75.

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a part of the ODI squad against South Africa but failed to leave a significant mark. He played the first two ODIs of the three-match series and didn’t pick a wicket. Eventually, Bhuvneshwar was dropped from the third match of the series.

The Indian selectors decided to drop him from the ODI squad but gave him a chance in the T20I squad. During the series against South Africa, Bhuvneshwar struggled to clock over 130 kmph and it looked like he was unable to find the right line and length.

Bhuvneshwar last played a T20I for India in November 2021 against New Zealand. He picked 12 wickets in 12 T20Is in 2021 at an average of 22.25, an economy of 6.59, and a strike rate of 20.2. Many expected him to not get picked in the T20I squad as well but surprisingly, the selectors kept faith in him.

5. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav is also picked in the ODI squad for the series against West Indies. The chinaman bowler last played an ODI in July 2021 against Sri Lanka when a second-string team traveled to the island nation.

He didn’t have a great last year and was able to pick only six wickets in five matches at an economy of 6.46. It was the first time since his debut in 2017 that he picked less than 20 scalps in a calendar year in ODIs.

Kuldeep has picked 107 wickets in 65 matches at an average of 28.34, an economy of 5.22, and a strike rate of 32.5. He is also returning from injury and will be elated to get one more chance to revive his troubled career.