West Indies vs India: Three Indian fast bowlers who deserve to be included in the squad 

India's tour of the West Indies will commence on 3rd August. The series is set to feature three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. This will be both the team's first assignment after the World Cup.

Last time when these two teams met in a bilateral series, India clinched the five-match ODI series by a 3-1 margin and whitewashed West Indies in the three-match T20I series.

With Jasprit Bumrah expected to be rested in the limited-overs leg of the tour after a long and hard World Cup where he was one of India's top performers, fringe fast-bowlers are likely to find a place in the squad in an effort to test their mettle. In this article, we will look at three such fast bowlers who deserve to be included in the squad.

---

#1 Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed.

Left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed is a likely inclusion. Ahmed made his ODI debut against Hong Kong during the Asia Cup. In eight ODIs that Khaleel has played so far, he has picked up 11 wickets at an average of 30.72. His best of 3/13 came against West Indies.

He represents the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and is currently a part of the India A squad which is also on tour of the Caribbean where he has already impressed with his pace, guile and variations.

Ahmed's natural angle will add variety to India's pace attack. Like most left-arm bowlers, his stock ball comes back into the right-hander. He also uses slow-ball cutters to very good effect and has bagged a handful of wickets with his potent change-ups. Khaleel is definitely one for the future as India aim to maintain its pace strength into the next decade.

#2 Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini.

Navdeep Saini was one of four net bowlers who traveled with team India to England and Wales for the World Cup. Saini first made a mark for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. His impressive and consistent performances earned him an IPL contract with the Delhi Daredevils in 2017. Later he was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

This year Saini was RCB’s best fast bowler. He picked up 11 wickets from 13 matches at an economy rate of 8.27. Saini bowls in mid-140s and has a potent bouncer. One of his bouncers dismissed David Warner in an unofficial game. He mostly targets the stumps with his sharp in-dipper. Saini has also been in form for the India A team in the Caribbean and picked up a five-for in one of the matches. He is an exciting prospect and now deserves a berth in the Indian team.

#3 Avesh Khan

Avesh Khan.

Fast bowler Avesh Khan has been in the selectors’ scheme of things for a while. He has been consistently getting opportunities for the India A squad. Khan graduated from the U-19 set-up, having made his first-class debut in 2014.

He was a member of India U-19 squad in 2016 and played a pivotal role in the men-in-blue’s journey to the final of the U-19 World Cup that year. He was a part of RCB in the 2017 IPL.

Last year, he made his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and bagged a three-fer in his very first outing, impressing in the six games he played in.

This year he didn’t get many opportunities but the experience he would have gained under the guidance of Ricky Ponting and Saurav Ganguly will be immensely valuable. Having gone through hard yards, Khan deserves an opportunity now.