Indian squad selection for Windies ODIs today; Pant call-up, Kohli's return likely

Mumbai: Virat Kohli-led Team India have a tough time ahead of them in the build up to next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup.

Having lost the ODI and Test series to England earlier in the summer, a Kohli-less India clinched the Asia Cup in September by beating Bangladesh in the final.

According to a Times of India report, Rishab Pant could in all likelihood make his ODI debut in the upcoming Windies series. This does not mean that Dhoni will be omitted or rested. However, this could mean that Pant could replace Dinesh Karthik despite the latter having a decent Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, permanent skipper Kohli is set to comeback to the ODI scene after reportedly missing the Asia Cup due to mental fatigue and a wrist niggle.

However, the Times of India report adds that the Delhi batsman could give himself a break after the opening three games.

Kedar Jadhav's dodgy hamstring, though, will rule him out of the limited-overs leg which opens up one potential middle-order batting slot.

Ambati Rayudu, after a good Asia Cup performance, will retain his place even if Kohli decides to play.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are set to come back after a much-needed break during the ongoing Test series.

Ravindra Jadeja is also expected to make it after his lion-hearted show as Axar Patel's replacement.

The axe might just fall on Manish Pandey, who has had a poor run of late since getting a chance against Afghanistan.

The five-match ODI series against Windies is set to start on October 21 in Guwahati. That will be followed by three T20Is against the same opponents.