Pant Named India Vice-Captain For T20I Series vs WI, Kuldeep Replaces Washington In Squad

Mumbai: Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named India vice-captain for the T20I series against West Indies in the absence of KL Rahul.

The three-match T20Is series against West Indies begins from February 16 onwards.

Earlier, KL Rahul was named as the deputy to India’s new white-ball captain Rohit Sharma, but the batter has been ruled out of the entire series after he sustained an upper left hamstring strain during fielding in the 2nd ODI against West Indies on February 9.

The BCCI mentioned Pant’s new role in the press release for Washington Sundar’s injury.

This will be the first time that Pant has been included in the leadership group of the Indian team. He is at the forefront of the race to succeed Virat Kohli as India’s new Test captain along with Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah.

Meanwhile, Sundar has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain and has been replaced by Kuldeep Yadav.

Earlier, Axar Patel was recently dropped as he resumed the final phase of his rehabilitation after recovering from Covid-19. The trio will head the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further management.

The All India Senior Selection Committee named Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Hooda as replacements for Rahul and Akshar.

India head into the T20I series after a 3-0 whitewash against Kieron Pollard’s men. All three matches of the series will be played behind closed doors at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

India’s T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain) (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Kuldeep Yadav.

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