Selectors weigh Pandya’s comeback and Pant’s form ahead of West Indies series

On Wednesday the Indian selection committee will reveal the ODI and T20I squads for the home series against the West Indies, which features three ODIs and five T20Is. Hardik Pandya, scheduled to resume competitive cricket on September 20 and already named in the India A one-day series against Australia A, faces scrutiny over his ability to bowl his full quota and field for a full international match. Rishabh Pant, whose IPL form has been lackluster and who lost his Test vice-captaincy, may still earn a backup keeper spot behind KL Rahul.

Ajit Agarkar, whose three-year contract ends on October 4, is expected to send a thank-you note after the selections, hinting at a possible departure. With a shortage of seam-bowling all-rounders, options such as Nitish Kumar Reddy, Suryansh Shedge and Venkatesh Iyer are being considered, while the spinner pool includes Ravindra Jadeja, Harsh Dubey and Axar Patel. Fast-bowling choices feature Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Prince Yadav, with Jasprit Bumrah unavailable due to Asian Games duties.