Sandeep Warrier to replace Navdeep Saini for West Indies A Tests

Kerala seamer Sandeep Warrier is set to replace Navdeep Saini in India A squad which is currently touring the Caribbeans. Saini, a fast bowler who has impressed with his ability to generate serious pace consistently, was recently picked for the senior team for the T20I and ODI series against the West Indies starting August 3.

However, Warrier will be available only for the second and third unofficial Tests for India ‘A’ as he is flying to the Caribbeans only on Friday. India ‘A’ did well to bowl the West Indies A for only 228 runs in their first innings on the opening day of the first unofficial Test in North Sound on Wednesday and were comfortably placed at 70 for 1 at stumps.

Warrier, 28, was part of the India A team that played two first-class matches and five ODIs against Sri Lanka ‘A’ last month at home. The pacer from Thrissur had made his first-class debut almost seven years ago and has grown in leaps and bounds ever since. Last year, he had a productive outing in the Ranji Trophy, picking 44 wickets in just 10 games.

Warrier’s luck shone in the Indian Premier League last year as well as when he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders after two of their young pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi got injured.

Warrier’s first foreign trip with India A

“I got the message that I will be replacing Saini in the West Indies squad on Monday. Though I have played for India ‘A’ before, this will be the first time I will be travelling with ‘A’ team abroad. So I am pretty excited and hope to do well in the opportunities I get to play in Windies,” Warrier was quoted by Times of India as saying from Chennai.

Having made his first-class debut in 2012, Warrier has played in 48 first-class games, 44 List ‘A’ matches and 43 T20s so far. He has picked 160 first-class wickets, 51 List ‘A’ and 43 T20 wickets.

Saini got his maiden India call in the limited-over series after the Test call he got last year for the one-off match against Afghanistan at home in the place of Mohammed Shami. Saini though didn’t get to play in that game.