Suresh Raina will lead the Indian team in the limited overs series against the West Indies beginning June 4. This follows the non-availability of both Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh for the entire Caribbean tour. A statement released by the BCCI in Chennai today also said that Raina will be supported by Harbhajan Singh who has been named the Vice-Captain. Shikhar Dhawan and Manoj Tiwary have been included in the side to replace Gambhir and Yuvraj.Gambhir had been assiged to lead India but was left out due to a shoulder injury while Yuvraj has been dropped from the side because of a respiratory infection.The team for the Tests beginning June 20 at Kingston was also named with M.S. Dhoni returning to his role as Skipper while V.V.S. Laxman has been named his deputy.Although Zaheer Khan will join the team after the ODIs, Sachin Tendulkar will continue to be absent for the visitors. According to the release, Tendulkar has asked time off to be with his family. Abhinav Mukund has been included in the side for the Test series. Virender Sehwag had earlier been dropped from the entire tour due to another shoulder injury. India will now tour with six seniors missing from the one T20 and five ODI series.Chairman of Selectors – Krishnamachari Srikkanth – has expressed confidence of the team's prospects. He said the selection was made keeping in mind vital inputs from newly appointed coach Duncan Fletcher.
News On AIR | May 27, 2011 9:58 PM
Raina to lead Indian cricket squad against West Indies