All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been appointed vice-captain of the Indian Test team for the upcoming two-match home series against West Indies.
In Rishabh Pant’s absence for this series, Ravindra Jadeja has been named as the deputy to Shubman Gill by virtue of his vast experience. Pant, who was the vice-captain in England, is yet to recover from a foot injury that he suffered in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Dhruv Jurel and N. Jagadeesan are the two wicketkeepers in the 15-member contingent.
Shubman Gill will continue as captain after leading India to a 2-2 draw in England. Jadeja steps in as deputy with Rishabh Pant still sidelined by a toe fracture suffered during the England series.
“Rishabh Pant hasn’t quite recovered for this series, we’re hoping he will be fit for the next one. That’s why we picked Jadeja as vice-captain,” said chief selector Ajit Agarkar after announcing the squad.
Jadeja was one of India’s standout performers in England, scoring 516 runs across the series, including a century and five fifties.
Against West Indies, the 36-year-old Jadeja will be a part of a four-man Indian spin-bowling attack, alongside Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel.
The series begins in Ahmedabad from October 2-6, with the second Test in New Delhi from October 10-14.
Squad
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.L. Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N. Jagadeesan (WK), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav.
