MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah to fly to USA for the T20 series against West Indies
The Men in Blue are all set to travel to the United States of America for a two-match T20 series against West Indies later this month, and this will be the first time India will play an international match in the US. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) working committee approved the two T20 matches and stated in its press release that there have been continuous efforts from their side to reach out to new markets and audiences.
ODI and T20 specialists MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to fly together and will form an integral part of the Indian team in this historic series. The BCCI, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, is expected to send a small squad for the short tour.
India is currently playing a four-match Test series in the Caribbean and out of the 17-member squad, it is expected that Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wridhiman Saha, Stuart Binny, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur will come back home.
“As it will be a short tour the Indian team will go with 14 members squad. Dhoni and Bumrah might join the team straight in the USA,” a source in the selection committee informed.
BCCI President Anurag Thakur had earlier stated that all the contracted players have to play in the upcoming Duleep Trophy but with the US tour finalised, it is highly unlikely that any of the top players will be part of the initial stage of the tournament.
The Duleep Trophy has attracted many people this season as it is expected to be played with a pink ball and the matches will be day-night affairs.
The opening match of Duleep Trophy is expected to see a string of first class players as India are currently playing a Test series in West Indies and they will immediately fly to the US after its conclusion, whereas the second string team India A will be in Australia during that time. The Board will also speak to its main players before finalising the pink ball Test against New Zealand.
Immediately after the completion of the 2 match T20 series all the contracted players have to join their respective teams for the Duleep Trophy. Though it is a historic moment for Anurag Thakur to finalise the tour to the US but back in their minds, they will be a little worried for the Duleep Trophy opener.