3 Players who deserved to be in India’s ODI squad for West Indies tour

Arshdeep Singh (Photo Source: Twitter)

India’s next One-Day International (ODI) assignment will be against the West Indies on the latter’s soil. From July 27 to August 1, the Men in Blue will contest against the Windies in a three-match ODI series. After the squad announcement, it was seen that players like Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad got included in the squad. Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar will also travel with the team for the competition.

Ahead of the team announcement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), some players were expected to be on the list as their recent numbers are decent. These omissions didn’t go well with many fans and experts as these players possess the ability to become match-winners for India.

3 players who deserved to be in India’s ODI squad against the West Indies

3. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar (Photo Source: Twitter)

For the upcoming ODI tournament, selectors have believed in Axar Patel to reinforce the side with his all-round skills. However, Axar, who has played five ODIs this year, hasn’t provided anything solid to the team. With the ball, the left-arm spinner has picked up only three wickets in four innings at an economy of 6.00.

Axar has been a part of the ODI team for quite some time but hasn’t performed up to the expectations in any of the departments of the game. Instead of providing a chance to Axar, Washington Sundar could’ve been tried by the team management. Sundar has played 16 ODIs so far, in which he has taken 16 wickets in 14 innings at an economy of 5.05.

With the bat, he has scored 233 runs with a half-century in nine innings at a strike rate of 85.66
Noting Sundar’s records, it could be said Sundar has an upper hand over Axar, who has racked up only 412 runs and 58 wickets in 51 ODIs.

2. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh. (Photo Source: Twitter)

BCCI didn’t give a chance to Arshdeep Singh to tour West Indies for three ODIs. In November 2022, Arshdeep marked his debut in ODIs during India’s tour of New Zealand. Playing three games in the competition, the left-arm pacer couldn’t pick up any wicket and splurged runs at an economy of 6.75.

However, the board should have backed Arshdeep as the speedster has proven his skills in T20 Internationals (T20Is). Consistent support could’ve lifted the confidence of the young pacer. Arshdeep has toe-crushing yorkers, sharp bouncers, and slower cutters in his armoury to trouble batters.

In Caribbean conditions, he could’ve turned lethal against the West Indies as pitches there are best known for supporting pacers. In List A cricket, Arshdeep’s bowling numbers are decent as he has picked up 21 wickets in 18 innings of 20 matches, at an economy of 4.94.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

For Yashasvi Jaiswal, this year is passing incredibly as his diligence got recognized recently and now he will tour West Indies after getting named in India’s Test squad for a couple of Tests. However, along with the maiden Test call-up, Jaiswal deserved to be in the One-Day team as well.

This year, he won a lot of hearts with his impressive batting for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23, Jaiswal showcased his mettle with the bat for Mumbai, amassing 396 runs with a couple of tons and fifties in six matches at a strike rate of 95.65.

His List A numbers are also magnificent as the young left-handed batter has scored 1511 runs with five centuries and seven fifties in 32 matches at a strike rate of 86.19. These batting figures and facts say that the board should’ve given him a chance to represent India’s ODI team in the Caribbean islands.