The Indian selectors have rested Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah for the limited-overs tour of West Indies. Their absence paved the way for wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav to make it to the squad which is otherwise unchanged from the one that played in England.
Rohit's exclusion has raised a few eyebrows since the opening batsman has only resumed playing during the IPL after undergoing surgery on his left hamstring in November last year. While he has looked in little trouble since his comeback, it is learnt that the team management doesn't want to take any chances with him. Rohit has been going through his fitness drills separately with team physio Patrick Farhart.
Among the pace bowlers, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohd Shami all had some rest during the last season. Bumrah played the entire season besides representing India in the limited-overs format. Pant and Yadav had been discussed for the Champions Trophy, but the selectors went with experience. The two were part of the five players kept on standby should there be need for an injury replacement.
