5 India ODI squad players unavailable due to Asian Games

Indian Selection Committee named a 15-member ODI squad on September 16 for the home series against West Indies. The three-match series begins September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by September 30 in Guwahati and October 3 in New Chandigarh.

The Asian Games in Japan run from September 24 to October 3, overlapping with all three ODIs. As a result, five senior players are unavailable for the West Indies series, with VVS Laxman leading India’s men’s contingent to Aichi-Nagoya. Shubman Gill has been named ODI captain for the home series, with India building towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. Nitish Kumar Reddy was withdrawn from the Asian Games squad and will feature in the ODI series instead, while Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi received their maiden ODI call-ups.

Here are the 5 India ODI squad players unavailable due to Asian Games:

1. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is captaining India’s Asian Games squad in Japan. The right-hand batter has scored 3,136 runs in 82 ODIs at an average of 45.45 and a strike rate of 97.85. In T20Is, he has accumulated 1,479 runs in 65 matches at an average of 31.47 and a strike rate of 137.84. Iyer has also been named captain of India’s T20I squad for the West Indies series beginning October 6, confirming his return to the main setup after the Asian Games conclude.

2. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable for the West Indies ODIs due to his Asian Games commitments. India’s premier fast bowler has taken 151 wickets in 91 ODIs at an average of 23.74 and an economy rate of 4.58. In T20Is, he has claimed 141 wickets in 98 matches at an average of 18.18 and an economy rate of 6.52. His absence leaves India without their most experienced pace option across all three matches of the home series.

3. Axar Patel

Axar Patel is one of the senior spin options India will rely on at the Asian Games, alongside Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar. The left-arm orthodox spinner has taken 80 wickets and scored 918 runs in 74 ODIs, bowling at an economy of 4.54 and batting at an average of 23.54. In T20Is, he has taken 105 wickets and scored 755 runs in 105 matches, bowling at an economy of 7.49 and batting at an average of 16.77.

4. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar is confirmed unavailable for the West Indies ODIs due to the Asian Games. The off-spinning all-rounder has taken 30 wickets and scored 445 runs in 34 ODIs, bowling at an economy of 4.85 and batting at an average of 22.25. In T20Is, he has taken 53 wickets and scored 279 runs in 63 matches, bowling at an economy of 7.11. Sundar is listed among India’s spin resources at Aichi-Nagoya alongside Axar Patel.

5. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan is listed in India’s Asian Games squad as a wicketkeeper-batter. The aggressive left-handed opener has scored 1,107 runs in 32 ODIs at an average of 42.58 and a strike rate of 107.06. In T20Is, he has made 1,701 runs in 59 matches at an average of 29.84 and a strike rate of 145.51. His squad listing was confirmed on September 10, and his absence means India will look to other wicketkeeping options for the home ODI series against West Indies.

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