Opener Kamil Pooran has earned a first international call-up for West Indies’ upcoming tour of India, on the back of an impressive debut Caribbean Premier League season for Saint Lucia Kings. Pooran, who scored 273 runs in eight CPL outings at a strike-rate of 159.34, has been picked for the five-match T20I series, for which batter Quentin Sampson and all-rounder Keemo Paul have also been recalled.
All-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the series, having established himself as a pivotal cog in the T20I setup. The former captain hasn’t played an ODI in over three years anyway, last featuring in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Shimron Hetmyer meanwhile, has been granted an ‘extended recovery period’ after CPL, allowing him to skip the ODIs from September 27 to October 3. Cricket West Indies though, stated that Hetmyer ‘remains committed’ to the team’s 50-over plans. He will later link up with the T20I squad for the series from October 6.
The ODI squad retains a largely familiar look to the one that went down 3-2 to New Zealand in July. Ackeem Auguste and Brandon King are notable absentees, with the former ruled out as he continues his rehabilitation having undergone surgery last month. In his place, the selectors have recalled the 19-year old Jewel Andrew, who has also been included in the T20 squad.
Opener John Campbell also returns, having missed the last two New Zealand ODIs with an injury. The second ODI on September 30 will mark the conclusion of the cycle for automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Africa. West Indies will be unable to make the cut irrespective of the outcome of the first two games, however, and will have to play next year’s Qualifiers.
But head coach Daren Sammy highlighted the importance of the series, with the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27 kicking off the tour.
“Playing against the top team in the world presents us with a chance to fine tune and improve our performances as an ODI team which has seen quality performances across the cycle. The series also creates a valuable platform to assess players who are stepping into important roles for this series with a long-term target of competing in the World Cup in 2027,” Sammy said.
West Indies’ ODI squad for India tour: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales
West Indies’ T20I squad for India tour: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer
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