Akash Deep is not playing against the West Indies.
India will begin their home season with a two-match Test series against the West Indies, the first of which will be played in Ahmedabad. As India announce their playing XI, most players are along the expected lines, but one major name missing is Akash Deep.
Akash Deep was not named in the 15-man squad for the West Indies rubber. While other pacers – Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna – have retained their places from the England tour, Akash didn’t find a spot.
Hence, he has not been in India’s playing XI for the first Test in Ahmedabad. He is currently busy playing in the Irani Cup, where he performed well on the opening day.
He could have been mighty effective on Indian decks because he is skiddy and gets zip on his balls, which work brilliantly on most surfaces in the subcontinent. Then, this game is played on a red-soil pitch, where pacers will get nice carry and additional bounce, and Akash could have used his height to good effect against a relatively weak Caribbean batting unit.
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Akash Deep was injured in England, as he suffered a groin injury at Lord’s and missed the following Test in Manchester before returning for the decider in The Oval. On his return, the medical team advised him to rest due to an unknown injury, probably due to a niggle on the England tour.
That forced him to miss the entire Duleep Trophy, and he didn’t take part in the India A series against Australia A. This suggests Akash might not be 100% fit, and the management didn’t want to rush him back.
Hence, selectors drafted him for the Irani Cup to check his fitness after a long layoff rather than immediately putting him in the international arena. If he goes through the game without any discomfort, Akash should be in contention for a spot in India’s Test squad against South Africa at home later this year.
For now, he would hope to get back into the rhythm as soon as possible and press a strong case for national return after blowing hot and cold in England. India are already thin on pace resources and would expect him to seal his spot in the XI with more consistent performances.
West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first.
India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
West Indies XI: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope(w), Roston Chase(c), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales.
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