After a disappointing end to the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle, India is set to begin the 2023-25 WTC cycle by taking on West Indies in the upcoming two-match Test series that will begin on July 12 and end on July 24.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India’s squad for the upcoming Test series and a three-match ODI series during India’s tour of the West Indies. Though India’s T20 squad is yet to be announced, here are some names to watch out for in the ODI and Test teams.
So before the start of this entertaining series, let us look at three players who promise to perform well and hence should be on everyone’s radar.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal became a household name in the recently concluded Indian Premier League as he opened innings for his team Rajasthan Royals. The 21-year-old batter scored 625 runs in 14 matches averaging at 48.08, with a combination of five half-centuries and one century in the 2023 season of the cash-rich league.
Not only this, but the RR opener was also one of India’s stand-by players in the World Test Championship Final 2023. Needless to say, Jaiswal is one of the most promising players, and it would be interesting to watch the young lad play the first big game for India.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad had an absolutely wonderful season as Chennai Super Kings opener, as he scored 590 runs in 16 matches of the 16th edition of the IPL averaging 42.14 at a strike rate of 147.50. Not only this, but the 26-year-old is also leading the Pune-based franchise in the Maharashtra Premier League 2023, where his team has managed to win two out of four games played so far.
Ruturaj opted out of the WTC Final squad as he got married. Since the Maharashtra-born cricketer is in his best form lately, he is expected to deliver star performances for the upcoming big assignment also.
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Mukesh Kumar
One of the most unexpected names that got his spot in India’s Test and ODI squad is pacer Mukesh Kumar. Kumar became a part of Bengal’s Ranji Trophy squad in 2015, and with his consistent performance in domestic cricket, he was called up to India’s ODI side for a series against South Africa in 2022. In the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League, he was bought by the Delhi Capitals for a whopping sum of INR 5.5 crore.
Kumar made his debut in the cash-rich league in the 2023 season against Lucknow Super Giants. The Bihar-born cricketer has taken 7 wickets in 10 games in the IPL. As he has made his place in India’s squad, all eyes will be on the right-arm seamer, and he will be expected to put his best show forward for the big games.
