The BCCI’s latest squad update on October 1 reflects a clear workload-management strategy, with India reshuffling its West Indies tour groups across formats. Washington Sundar has been withdrawn from the T20I squad, while Naman Dhir has been included as his replacement. In the ODI set-up, Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out of the third match after a left hamstring injury, opening the door for Anshul Kamboj.
Why Sundar was withdrawn from the T20I squad
Sundar’s removal is not linked to form, but to preparation priorities ahead of India’s home Test series against New Zealand. The BCCI has preferred to send him back to domestic cricket so that he can gain red-ball match practice before the Test assignment begins.
That decision aligns with the broader calendar: the Ranji Trophy season starts on October 11, giving Sundar a timely chance to play multi-day cricket before the next major red-ball challenge. For a player often valued for his all-round utility, the move indicates that the selectors are managing his workload with a format-specific plan rather than keeping him on a full white-ball tour.
What the change means in practical terms
India’s T20I squad remains 15 players strong, but the replacement changes the balance of the group. Naman Dhir now gets an opportunity across the West Indies tour after being added to both the ODI and T20I discussions in the same window.
| Player | Original Role | Updated Status | Reason |
|---|
| Washington Sundar | T20I squad member | Withdrawn | Returned for domestic red-ball preparation |
| Naman Dhir | Replacement option | Included | Added to updated T20I squad |
This kind of adjustment has become increasingly common in international cricket, where workload planning is now a measurable factor in squad selection. With a Test series looming, the value of overs in domestic cricket can outweigh a few T20I appearances, particularly for multi-format players.
Prasidh Krishna’s injury alters the ODI balance
India’s ODI squad also required an immediate change after Prasidh Krishna suffered a left hamstring injury during the second ODI in Guwahati. The injury forced the selectors to bring in Anshul Kamboj for the third ODI in Chandigarh.
Hamstring injuries are especially disruptive for fast bowlers because they affect acceleration, run-up rhythm and workload tolerance. In a three-match ODI series, missing the final game can interrupt continuity, but it also gives the management a chance to assess depth before future assignments.
| Series | Player Out | Player In | Match Impact |
|---|
| ODI vs West Indies | Prasidh Krishna | Anshul Kamboj | Third ODI in Chandigarh |
| T20I vs West Indies | Washington Sundar | Naman Dhir | Updated 15-member squad |
Selection pattern across formats
India’s decisions suggest a selective approach rather than a reactionary one. Sundar is being preserved for red-ball preparation, while Krishna’s exit is injury-driven, forcing a temporary replacement.
Naman Dhir’s presence in both updated groups is notable because it highlights how quickly a domestic or fringe player can move into multi-format consideration. For selectors, that flexibility is valuable during a tour that includes both three ODIs and five T20Is between September 27 and October 17.
Updated India T20I squad
The revised T20I group led by Shreyas Iyer includes Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav and Naman Dhir.
That list shows a balanced mix of batting depth, spin options and pace resources, even after Sundar’s exit. The team still has multiple all-round options, which reduces the immediate impact of the change in a format where match-ups often matter more than continuity.
| Updated T20I Composition | Count |
|---|
| Batters and wicketkeepers | 6 |
| All-round options | 4 |
| Spinners | 3 |
| Pace bowlers | 4 |
For the ODI side, the presence of Shubman Gill as captain, along with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, keeps the batting core intact. The replacement of Krishna with Kamboj is therefore a structural change in bowling rather than a wider squad reset.
What to watch next
The immediate focus will be on how Naman Dhir fits into two updated squads and whether he can convert the call-up into playing time. The longer-term question is whether Sundar’s domestic stint improves his red-ball readiness enough to influence the New Zealand Test series.
For India, the numbers are straightforward: one withdrawal for workload management, one injury replacement, and two squad adjustments aimed at preserving depth across a packed calendar. In a season spanning limited-overs cricket, domestic red-ball preparation and injury cover remain key selection tools.