Here's why Ravi Ashwin isn't selected for West Indies ODIs and T20Is

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday (January 26) announced India’s squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against West Indies. As the Men in Blue suffered a humiliating 0-3 defeat in the preceding ODI series against South Africa, the national selectors, on expected lines, made some significant changes. While youngsters were awarded for their impressive show in the domestic circuit, there were some big exclusions.

Ravichandran Ashwin was one of the notable absentees in the squad. Having made a comeback in white-ball cricket last year, the off-spinner put up an impressive show in the T20 World Cup. Subsequently, he was drafted in the ODI squad for the South Africa tour. However, he couldn’t do much with the ball, scalping just one wicket in two games with his economy rate being over 5.

Ravi Ashwin has suffered serious injuries to his wrist and ankle

Notably, BCCI didn’t give any reason behind the veteran off-spinner’s axing. However, a report in the Times of India claims that the 35-year-old is unavailable due to fitness concerns. The report claims that Ashwin has suffered serious injuries to his wrist and ankle during the ODI series against South Africa.

The talismanic bowler had apparently twisted his ankle and fell on his wrist, hence sustaining multiple injuries. Well, this fitness issue couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ashwin as he was staging his comeback in the white-ball team. With India having no shortage of potent spin bowlers and Ashwin being 35, it remains to be seen whether the selectors would look back at him for white-ball cricket or not.

Meanwhile, the home series against West Indies gets underway on February 6. With the Kieron Pollard-led side not doing too well in 50-over cricket recently, the Men in Blue will take the field as favorites. Speaking of the available spin options, the selectors have persisted with Yuzvendra Chahal. While Kuldeep Yadav has earned a call-back in the ODI squad, young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi received a maiden call-up in the national team.

India ODI squad against West Indies: Rohit Sharma (Capt), KL Rahul (vc), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), D Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan

India ODI squad against West Indies: Rohit Sharma (Capt), KL Rahul (vc), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wk), D Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Y Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan