Interestingly, the selectors have picked batting all-rounder Deepak Hooda for the ODIs while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav also makes a comeback to the one-day squad. Fast bowler Avesh Khan finds his name in both squads while Harshal Patel retains his T20I spot. Struggling veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named in the T20 squad despite his poor recent returns.
Both the teams will be led by Rohit Sharma, who returns after having missed the South Africa series due to a hamstring injury. KL Rahul, who struggled as stand-in captain in South Africa has been picked as vice-captain. Veteran offie Ravichandran Ashwin is not part of either squads but, according to reports, he is undergoing treatment.
Ashwin’s Tamil Nadu teammate Washington Sundar makes a return after being forced to miss the tour of South Africa due to Covid. Experienced pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been rested while all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer finds his name only in the T20I squad.
Unlike the speculations, there is no place for Hardik Pandya while Ravindra Jadeja also remains unavailable as he is recuperating from injury. An official BCCI release informed that Rahul will be available from the 2nd ODI onwards while Axar Patel will be available for the T20Is.
India will play three ODIs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from February 6 followed by the T20I series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from February 16.
ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan
T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel.
--By A Cricket Correspondent