For the Windies series, Shahrukh Khan and R Sai Kishore will join as Team India reserves

M Shahrukh Khan, the rising T20 sensation, and his state-mate Ravi Srinivas Sai Kishore, the orthodox left-arm spinner, will join the Indian white-ball team as stand-by players for the upcoming six-match series against the West Indies.

Both Shahrukh and Sai Kishore were pivotal in Tamil Nadu's triumphant campaign, and their inclusion is more of a preventative measure in COVID-19 times, when a player from the main squad could test positive.

"Yes, Shahrukh and Sai Kishore have been called as stand bys for the Windies series. They will also enter the bubble with main team players," a senior BCCI official confirmed the development

 The limited-overs series kicks off on February 6 in Ahmedabad with a three-match ODI series, followed by three T20Is in Kolkata.

This is Sai Kishore's second chance in an Indian team setting, following being part of the net bowlers' group during Rahul Dravid's tour of Sri Lanka last year.

Shahrukh, who was in contention for a spot in the senior squad, has made headlines this season for making crucial runs, notably a last-ball six against Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final.

His colleague Sai Kishore had three wickets in the same match.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final, he hit 79 off 39 balls against the same opponents, while his contribution in the final versus HP was 42 off 21 balls.

While he may have to wait for his moment as head coach Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma provide enough opportunities to the individuals ahead of him in the pecking order of finishers, he can hope for a chance as the season develops when the big guns are rested.

With Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel in the mix, Sai Kishore will play more as a net bowler.