The team for the forthcoming Test as well as the ODI series versus West Indies, which begins on July 12, was revealed by the Indian Cricket Board today. The first Test of the series will be played in Windsor Park, Dominica, while the second test will be held at Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Oval. The limited-over formats will be up next after the two Tests, with the first game scheduled to be contested at Barbados’ Kensington Oval.
In a significant event, Yashasvi Jaiswal replaced Cheteshwar Pujara in the Test team. Ajinkya Rahane’s reappointment as the team’s vice-captain, though, is more unexpected. After over 16 months of absence from the Indian team, Rahane returned before the World Test Championship (WTC) finals, thanks to a stellar performance on the home circuit and in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Rahane took advantage of the chance and scored 89 runs during the first innings then 46 runs in the second, amassing the most runs of any Indian batter in a losing effort. Social media users had mixed reactions to his re-election as the team’s vice-captain, with some even suggesting that he should succeed Rohit, who had come under fire for the 209-run thrashing versus Australia during the WTC final.
The World Test Championship 2023–25 campaigns for both India and West Indies will begin during the two-match Test series. India will need to win the ODI series in order to step up their preparations for the ODI World Cup, which will take place later in the year.
Indian squad for Tests against West Indies:
Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahae (VC), KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.
Indian squad for ODIs against West Indies:
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.
Fans react to Ajinkya Rahane being reinstated as vice-captain of Indian Test Team for West Indies Tour: –
Ajinkya Rahane is back as India's Vice Captain in Tests. pic.twitter.com/W1cse8q71p
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 23, 2023
Perfect….. Ise to captain hona chaiye
— Velha (@panditrockss) June 23, 2023
Only till Iyer's comeback.
— ??S?I ? (@VashiVelayudham) June 23, 2023
Very Unfortunate for him he has to be the Captain! He deserves more than anyone else after Virat Kohli
— Aditya (@aditya_k21) June 23, 2023
His hard work has paid off ?
— Yathi (@No_breathe11) June 23, 2023
WOW! The decision of the BCCI to appoint #AjinkyaRahane as the vice-captain is very good.
— Nikhil (@Risenik) June 23, 2023
Finally some sensible decision by BCCI
— POD MANUTD (@POD_MANUTD) June 23, 2023
Practice makes man perfect ?
— Shubham_Srivastava ?? (@4u_shubh365) June 23, 2023
now we wait for another 18 months bad run until he retires ?
— Kaush (@iamkaushh) June 23, 2023
Ever green captain King and VC Rahane for India.. nobody can beat them..?
— Sai Parsagani ?? (@ParsaganiSai) June 23, 2023
Atleast he didn't get sack over a phone call ?
— ? ?? ? (@omg_bro_wtf) June 23, 2023
He should be captain ?
— ? ? ?? (@cricket__hub) June 23, 2023
