India Squad WI Tour to be announced next week, BCCI to discuss Test return with Hardik Pandya

India Squad WI Tour: India Cricket Team’s next World Test Championship cycle begins with West Indies tour next month. After another WTC Final debacle, the focus is now on a Test reboot, phasing out seniors for fresh faces. While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be there in IND vs WI series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will discuss a return for Hardik Pandya in Tests. The squad announcement will be made next week.

The all-rounder has taken a Test exile due to his string of back injuries. However, he now seems fit after his injury struggle. Hardik last featured in Tests back in 2018 during England tour.

“Hardik is definitely an option but it is Hardik himself who has to take the call on a Test return. Selectors are keen to see him back in whites. But is he in a position to play all three formats, especially considering he is an important player in ODIs? That is the call he has to take,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

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Before Shiv Sundar Das-led BCCI Selection Committee meets next week to decide on the squad, selectors and the BCCI are likely to ring up Hardik Pandya.

Before the WTC Final, Hardik said, if he had to return to Test, he would go through the grind. West Indies series could be the best setup.

“If I want to play Test cricket, I will go through the grind, I will earn my position and then come back. For that reason, to be very honest, I will not be available or play the World Test Championship Final, or any future Test matches until I feel that I have earned my spot.”

India Squad WI Tour: Question mark on Pujara

However, for Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara, things don’t look great. Selectors and the team management have backed Pujara despite his dwindling form.

At 35, Pujara does not have long and it is still not certain whether he will be able to sustain till WTC Final 2025. With Shreyas Iyer still recovering from injury and so is Rishabh Pant, Team India need another option.

With Sarfaraz Khan warming the bench for a long time despite scoring tons of runs in domestic cricket, he is expected to get his maiden Test call-up. Whether Pujara will remain in Test plans for the time being is a question that selectors must answer. However, considering other batters, Pujara’s form isn’t that bad. He has averaged 40.16 in the last 12 months including a century and three half-centuries in the last 14 innings.

What to expect from IND vs WI Test squad announcement?

Despite talks of transition, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are to continue for now.
Selectors will discuss whether they should stick to Pujara with Rishabh, Shreyas, and KL Rahul still injured.
Sarfaraz Khan and Yashasvi Jaiswal besides Suryakumar Yadav are likely to get call-ups.
The other major change will be a change in the wicketkeeper. KS Bharat is all set to make way for Ishan Kishan.
There will be discussions on Wriddhiman Saha who has been forced into exile in favour of KS Bharat.
But with an unsatisfactory batting performance by Bharat, Saha could get the nod.
Selectors will also discuss Wriddhiman Saha who has not been considered since the New Zealand series.
Among bowlers, Mukesh Kumar is set to get a call-up in place of Umesh Yadav.

“It’s not the time for transition. Rather the two Tests against West Indies give us the opportunity to try out a few names. Surya has been with the team and except for that one inning against Australia, he has not had chances. He is one. there are also Ishan and Sarfaraz who deserve a go. As for Wriddhiman, it is completely up to the selectors and team management whether they want him back in the setup,” the official said.

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