A second-string India squad led by Shikhar Dhawan will tour Sri Lanka for a six-match white-ball series next month. The India squad included number of youngsters who have done well in domestic cricket and the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

While the selectors rewarded many players for their performance, they ignored the likes of Jaydev Unadkat and Rahul Tewatia. Unadkat was the star performer for Saurashtra in the 2019/20 season and put his case for selection after topping the wicket-taking charts in Ranji Trophy. 

He was ignored for the Australia tour and also failed to make the cut for the home series against England and the UK tour, which kicks off next week.

Talking of Tewatia, the all-rounder had earned his maiden India call-up for the five T20Is against England earlier this year but couldn’t break into the playing XI.

As per the former cricketer Deep Dasgupta, the duo deserved a place in the national squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Speaking on his Youtube channel, Dasgupta opined that taking 27 players to Sri Lanka wouldn’t have made a difference as the selectors named a jumbo squad of 25 players. They also picked 5 net bowlers for the series.

“I don’t have much to say about the team selection. There are 20 players, so whoever was in contention has made it. There can’t be any surprises. I really like Jaydev Unadkat because he is so hardworking and passionate. Not just in the IPL, he bowls 20-25 overs in the Ranji Trophy, works hard and is absolutely brilliant. Like I said before, if you are taking 25, could have taken 26 as well it would have made no difference,” Dasgupta said.

While Tewatia can certainly make his comeback, the selection committee has probably moved on from Unadkat as he was ignored for the Australia tour despite being the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy. Unadkat also led Saurashtra, who won the title last year.

The India tour of Sri Lanka includes 3 ODIs and as many T20Is. All the fixtures will be held in Colombo.