4 Indian players who might warm the bench in T20I series against West Indies

Hardik Pandya will lead the 15-men Indian squad against West Indies in the 5-match T20I series.

Team India are all set to start their new assignment with a multi-format tour of the West Indies. Both teams will play two tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is on the tour. The tour will kick off with the first test on July 16 at Windsor Park. The selection committee announced India's ODI and Test squads earlier, and the T20I squad was announced on Wednesday.

Some of the seniors got rested, while some new faces got their chances in the team under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal got their maiden call-ups in the T20I squad, while Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar were also rewarded for their IPL performances. However, the likes of Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad were sidelined despite a brilliant IPL season. However, there might be some players who will not get a game in the upcoming T20I series.

IND vs WI: Here's a look at four Indian players who might end up sitting on the bench throughout the T20I series.

Ishan Kishan:

India have picked two wicket-keeper batters in the squad: Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. However, Kishan might have to sit down because India already have a lot of options at the top of the order. His form with the Indian team hasn't been great in the shorter format. On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill can be the first-choice openers. As a result, the left-hander might have to warm the bench during the T20I series.

Ravi Bishnoi:

Ravi Bishnoi has made his comeback on the Indian side, but he is likely to sit out throughout the series. India have picked up four spinners in the team. Yuzi Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Bishnoi. Thus, it looks pretty difficult for him to make a place in the playing XI in the presence of senior spinners in the team. Being an all-rounder, Axar will be the first-choice spinner. Then, it will be the race between Kuldeep and Chahal. Bishnoi also had an average IPL season in 2023. He picked up 16 wickets in 15 games for the Lucknow Super Giants.

Kuldeep Yadav:

Unlike the 2022 edition, Kuldeep Yadav struggled in the 16th edition of the IPL. He played all 14 games for the Delhi Capitals and ended up with only 10 wickets at a higher average of 36.10. That can come against Kuldeep in the upcoming series. He is part of the team, but India will go with a maximum of two spinners. And with Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal already in the team, Kuldeep might end up waiting for his opportunity during the T20I series.

Mukesh Kumar:

Mukesh Kumar has been with the India A team for quite a while now. He has also been part of India's test squad in the last few series, but he is still searching to make his debut for the country. He has been picked in the T20I squad, but it looks unlikely that he will make his T20I debut in the upcoming series as well. India already have the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, and Avesh Khan, with skipper Hardik bowling his four overs at pace. Thus, it looks like India will go with four specialist pacers with Hardik in the team.