In an important squad adjustment ahead of the five-match T20I series against the West Indies, the Indian team management has decided to release all-rounder Washington Sundar from the twenty-over group. Dynamic Punjab all-rounder Naman Dhir has received a maiden T20I call-up as his replacement, marking another significant milestone in his rapid rise at the international level.
Why Naman Dhir replaces Washington Sundar in T20I squad
The decision to pull Washington Sundar out of the T20I setup is tactical and focused on long-term planning. Sundar has been part of the Indian squad at the Asian Games, where India reached the final. Immediately following the five-match T20I series against the West Indies, the Indian team faces a demanding Test assignment against New Zealand.
With the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season starting on October 11, the selectors and team management opted to withdraw Sundar so he can play multi-day red-ball cricket for Tamil Nadu. The think-tank believes red-ball match practice is vital for his rhythm. Sundar’s probing off-spin and dependable lower-order batting are viewed as critical assets for the upcoming Test series, making red-ball game time far more beneficial than white-ball action at this juncture.
Team India invests in Naman Dhir as an all-rounder
Meanwhile, the selectors have shown immense faith in Naman Dhir. The young cricketer recently made his ODI debut against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. Across the opening two matches, he was trusted with the ball, sending down five to six overs of tidy off-spin. Even though he did not get extended opportunities with the bat, the team management is eager to groom him as a dependable all-rounder for white-ball cricket.
India are looking for Dhir to replicate the balance that Sundar brings in limited-overs formats: delivering tight off-spin in the middle overs and providing finishing power down the order. This dual responsibility opens up a massive opportunity for Dhir to cement his place in both ODI and T20 squads.
India vs West Indies T20I schedule
The five-match T20I contest between India and the West Indies begins on October 6 and runs across five cities before concluding on October 17.
India vs West Indies 2026: 5-Match T20I Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | October 6, 2026 | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | October 9, 2026 | JSCA Stadium, Ranchi | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | October 11, 2026 | Holkar Stadium, Indore | 7:00 PM |
| 4th T20I | October 14, 2026 | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad | 7:00 PM |
| 5th T20I | October 17, 2026 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:00 PM |
Win-win move for both players
This squad rotation serves Indian cricket on two fronts. Sundar gains essential red-ball rhythm in multi-day fixtures to sharpen himself for Test cricket against New Zealand. Simultaneously, Dhir gets the international exposure he needs to grow into a genuine all-rounder, giving India depth and flexibility for the future.
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