IND vs AUS: Rahul returns, maiden call-up for Markande; Pant replaces Karthik in ODIs

The BCCI has also named uncapped spinner Mayanka Markande for the T20Is who will join the Krunal and Chahal in the spin department

The BCCI on Friday announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming 2-match T20I series against Australia, slated to begin from February 24. Skipper Virat Kohli is back after being rested for the last 5 limited-over games in New Zealand and will lead the men-in-blue against the Aussies on home soil.

KL Rahul has been called back for the series against Australia. Rahul missed out on the ODIs against Australia and New Zealand followed by the 3-match T20I series against the Kiwis due to his misogynist remarks on a Tele talk show. However, he returned on the field after the restrictions were over and gained some form against the England Lions, earning his spot back in the national side.

The apex board has also named uncapped spinner Mayanka Markande for the T20Is. He has replaced Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and will join Krunal and Yuzvendra Chahal in the spin department. The 21-year-old was rewarded soon after his five-wicket haul, which powered India A to an innings and 68-run victory over England Lions in the second unofficial Test.

India’s squad for T20I series against Australia:

Virat (c), Rohit (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Sidharth Kaul, Mayank Markande

The board also announced a 15-member squad for the first two ODIs against Australia. Along with Rahul, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been inducted into the side following his promising performance in Australia and New Zealand. He has replaced Dinesh Karthik in the squad.

The omission of Karthik is an indicator as to who among Rishabh Pant and the Tamil Nadu player will board the Heathrow-bound flight as a specialist-batsman-cum-second-wicketkeeper for the World Cup.
Pant has found a place in both the squads.

India’s squad for 1st and 2nd ODI against Australia:

Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohamed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Rishabh Pant, Siddharth Kaul, KL Rahul

India’s squad for remaining three ODIs:

Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant