Appidi's maiden call-up headlines USA squad as Mukkamalla named deputy

USA Cricket have sprung a few surprises in their squad announcement for the upcoming ICC World Cup League 2 tri-series in Nepal starting August 13, with 17-year-old fast bowler Ritvik Appidi earning his maiden senior call-up alongside former Sri Lanka international Shehan Jayasuriya.

Also drafted into the 50-over squad for the first time is left-arm spinner Mohammad Mohsin.

Jayasuriya's inclusion was expected given USA's need for an experienced left-handed middle-order batter against Nepal's spin attack. However, Appidi's rapid elevation has raised eyebrows.

Standing 6'3", Appidi shot to prominence earlier this year after castling a charging Vaibhav Suryavanshi during an Under-19 World Cup fixture. Sources believe the teenager can consistently hit hard lengths at speeds exceeding 130 kmph.

"The fast bowler group is touching 35 and they feel this is the right time to breed the youngster in. Has the fast bowler mentality and was impressive in the Houston Open," a source told Cricbuzz.

Appidi's inclusion may have come at the expense of veteran seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk, who took 13 wickets in 4 matches at the T20 World Cup. However, the 37-year-old was not part of USA's previous ODI assignment after managing only four wickets in his last eight ODIs.

Another notable absentee is wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous. Sources say Gous and USA management have mutually agreed for him to focus primarily on T20 cricket, with concerns persisting over his ODI form and recurring fitness issues.

Sai Teja Mukkamalla has been elevated to vice-captain. The 22-year-old averages above 40 while striking at 149 in T20Is, and scored a half-century against New Zealand in a T20 World Cup warm-up followed by 79 against Netherlands in the tournament proper.

"He is calm and straightforward. He has come through the ranks from the American system and is well respected by seniors and juniors for his commitment," the source added.

USA return to ODI cricket after a six-month hiatus, having surged to the top of World Cup League 2 after winning 11 of their last 12 matches. Captain Monank Patel will hope to carry that momentum into Nepal while exorcising the ghosts of February 2020, when USA were bowled out for just 35 in a nine-wicket defeat.