BCCI announces 12-man squad to face West Indies; Prithvi Shaw set to make debut

BCCI have broken their tradition of revealing their playing XI in a build-up to match, by announcing their team on the eve of the first Test against West Indies. With that being said, Mumbai teenager Prithvi Shaw is all set to make his Test debut for the Indian cricket team in Rajkot.

After impressing in the domestic circuit consistently, the talented batsman's inclusion in India's test squad to face West Indies comes as no surprise. The youngster possesses a very aggressive style to his game, and thus making him the perfect replacement for Shikhar Dhawan, who has been rested for the series.

While the right-handed batsman will be pairing up with KL Rahul up the Indian batting order, his other two team-mates Mohammed Siraj and Mayank Agarwal will have to wait little longer to make their debuts after failing to make the cut in the 12-man squad released by BCCI.

The talented young batsman was touted as one of the big names in school cricket, and he shot to prominence after starring for his school Rizvi Springfield after scoring 546 off 330 balls, in innings which included 85 fours and five sixes during the Haris Shield 2013.

After that, he rose up the ranks after being selected to the Indian U-19 team. He lead the side to its famous World Cup triumph against Australia and went on to consistently impress with his composed batting skills in the Ranji Trophy.

Prithvi Shaw is held in high regard by many from the Indian cricketing fraternity, and the most recent to come to the forefront is vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane, who has lavished praise on his Mumbai team-mate and placed his faith in the youngster's abilities ahead of the upcoming series.

"I am really happy for him. He is an attacking opening batsman. He has done so well for Mumbai on a consistent basis. I wish him good luck. I am sure he will do well," Rahane expressed.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli will be back in action after been handed captaincy duties. India will look to resort back to their five-man bowling attack as compared to the previous four-man attack which featured in England. However, with Ravindra Jadeja, Ravindra Ashwin, Mohamma Shami and Umesh Yadav looking certain to retain their places, it remains to be decided who will get the nod between Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur.

India 12-man squad for 1st Test: Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw (debut), Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur.