India vs West Indies Test series: Karun Nair omitted after ordinary series in England while Jasprit Bumrah named in 15-member squad

By trade a top-order batsman, there is no available spot for the left-hander, whose three previous Test innings have yielded him 90 runs, including a half-century. He could be the reserve opener too, backing up regulars KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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Agarkar explained the rationale. “We expected more from Karun Nair. Can’t be just one innings. Padikkal offers more. He was in the team too. We would like to give 15-20 chances to everyone, but it is not possible in these circumstances.”

He pointed out Padikkal’s ability to bat anywhere in the order. “He has batted at No.3, no.6. Young guy, doing well. We thought he should be given chances.”

Shreyas Iyer’s decision to abstain from red-ball cricket for six months, owing to the stress on his back post a surgery, eased the selectors’ choices. Sarfraz Khan, who had cracked a century in the Bengaluru Test in the ill-fated New Zealand series, was not considered because he has yet to clear a fitness test following a quadriceps injury.

The selectors have ended their flirtations with Abhimanyu Easwaran as well. The domestic stalwart, with 104 first-class games in his portfolio – of them 31 for India A – was part of the tours to both Australia and England, yet still waits for his Test cap. “It is a 15-member squad and you don’t need a third opener,” Agarkar said.

Usual question

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Doubts lingered over Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management and his availability for the series. In the past, he has been cotton-woolled from home Tests to conserve his fragile frame for tough overseas tours. Only 12 of his 48 Tests have come in India, where he averages an eye-popping 17.19. Post his back surgery, the selectors and the team management have been careful in handling him, conscious of the complications of over-expending and putting more stress on his back, unleashing him in only a prescribed number of games. In England, he featured in only three of the five Tests, even sitting out of the final Test at the Oval.

“He had a fair break, five-six weeks between his last Test and the Asia Cup. Even in the Asia Cup, his games have been spaced out but for the last week. He is ready and available for both Tests,” the chief selector said.

Bumrah would be coming straight after the Asia Cup, where he sat out of only one of the five games. He could be rested for the last Super Four game against Sri Lanka, as India have already qualified for the final, but is certain to play in the summit clash. India’s batting coach Ryan Ten Doeschate said the Asia Cup is an ideal preparation for Bumrah to regain his Test match groove.

“It’s actually quite good in terms of workload management. He’s probably going to bowl in the region of 25-26 overs with the training and the preparation going into the game, which is a fairly good number the week before a Test,” the Dutchman said.

B Sai Sudharsan too has been persisted with, despite unflattering numbers in England. “He is young, talented. It is time to trust people like him,” Agarkar said.

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Before the squad announcement, rumours were abuzz that left-arm spinner Manav Suthar might get a look-in, but with the spin-stable well stocked, there was little space for him. He, though, was named in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup. As was Akash Deep, the 10-wicket hero in Birmingham. However, he tapered off in the later part of the series.

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