Pant to play in first ODI: BCCI announces 12-member team

BCCI has announced the 12 member Indian team for the first ODI against Windies which will be played on October 21. The biggest highlight of the India team is the inclusion of left-hand batsman Rishabh Pant in the middle order while Khaleel Ahmed too is a part of the squad.

Announcement: #TeamIndia announce the 12 for the 1st ODI in Guwahati against West Indies #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/j32SXgSFTT

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 20, 2018

Pant to play as specialist batsman 

Recently chairman of selectors made it clear that MS Dhoni is India’s primary wicket-keeper for the world cup which kind of closed the wicket-keeper’s position for Pant. However courtesy of his impressive performance in Tests, the left-hander has been included to the team as a specialist batsman.

Pant will replace Dinesh Karthik in the middle order while Ambati Rayadu has retained his place at number four. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the innings for India with Virat Kohli returning to number three position.

The middle order comprises of Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja who will play the role of all-rounder.

Who will be the two pacers?

With Jadeja as the spin bowling all-rounder, India’s spin department gets more depth as they already have Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the team.

India have three pacers in the 12 member squad. Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Khaleel Ahmed. The only decision Virat Kohli will have to make tomorrow morning is which two pacers to pick in the playing eleven.

Also read: Not taking Windies lightly: Indian spinner 

Yadav seems to be a certainty thanks to his ten-wicket haul in the second Test against Windies. So, one among Khaleel and Shami will have to sit out.

KL Rahul and Manish Pandey on the benches

The team management has ignored KL Rahul and Manish Pandey for the first ODI. Rahul struggled in the Test series against Windies while Pandey failed to make the most of the limited opportunities he received in the Asia Cup.