Seasoned KL Rahul could be named India’s vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting September 27. India, to be led by Shubman Gill , will begin the ODI campaign against the Caribbeans in Thiruvananthapuram, while the remaining two matches will be held in Guwahati (September 30) and Mullanpur (October 3). The team for the West Indies series, along with the Irani Cup squad, is scheduled to be picked on September 16, a day after the second T20I against Afghanistan.
The meeting will be attended by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar .
It is understood that with the Asian Games coinciding with the ODI series against the West Indies, regular 50-over vice-captain Shreyas Iyer will not be available as he will be in Japan leading the T20 squad. With Ishan Kishan also on Asian Games duty, there will be a debate over the second wicketkeeper’s slot behind Rahul.
“The selectors picked Hardik for the India A one-dayers scheduled from October 6 in Puducherry. However, the West Indies ODIs will end on October 3.
Obviously, the head coach’s and captain’s points of view will be important,” a BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI. It will be interesting to see if Hardik is selected for the West Indies ODIs,” the source said. “It is a choice between Pant and Jurel. It is understood that if Pant is not selected as the second keeper, he would lead the Rest of India side in the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. Injuries to several fringe players are also making the process difficult for the selection committee, which is facing a paucity of all-round options. Right now, the list of injured players includes Harsh Dubey , Suryansh Shedge , Mohsin Khan, Venkatesh Iyer , Harshit Rana and Shahbaz Ahmed, all of whom are unavailable for selection for either the senior team, India A, or the Irani Cup. Sarfaraz, Doseja, Sangwan for Irani Cup
