In a heartwarming moment for cricket enthusiasts, promising Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal recently shared an exclusive peek into his life at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) located in Bengaluru. The young cricketer posted an Instagram story featuring himself alongside India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and upcoming pacer Akash Deep.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (PTI Photo)
Jaiswal, who was recently confirmed for India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against the West Indies, captioned his photo, “Having a best time in CoE.” This post quickly captivated fans, providing a delightful insight into the camaraderie and positive spirit among the players, including those currently on the path to recovery.
While Jaiswal gears up for the home Tests, beginning in Ahmedabad on October 2, Rishabh Pant and Akash Deep are diligently working on their injury recovery and fitness at the CoE, hence missing out on the immediate series.
The Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, also announced the inclusion of fast bowling sensation Jasprit Bumrah in the squad. Bumrah, who featured in only three of the five Tests during the England tour due to workload management, makes a significant return. Additionally, Devdutt Padikkal has been brought into the lineup, replacing Karun Nair, who has been experiencing a dip in form. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been appointed as the vice-captain, supporting skipper Shubman Gill. The second Test will be played in Delhi starting October 10.
Regular vice-captain Rishabh Pant is continuing his recuperation from a foot fracture he sustained in England. He is anticipated to return for the home Test series against South Africa in November. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan will serve as the designated wicket-keepers.
This series against the West Indies serves as a crucial opportunity for players to solidify their positions within the Test setup. Following this, the Indian team will embark on a comprehensive tour of South Africa, which includes two Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati from November 14 to 26, followed by a three-match One Day International (ODI) series and a five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series, concluding on December 19.
India’s Squad for West Indies Tests:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-Captain)
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Axar Patel
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- N Jagadeesan (Wicketkeeper)
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Kuldeep Yadav