Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
West Indies have announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of India, with Shai Hope’s side set to play three ODIs and five T20Is between September 27 and October 18 across eight cities.
The West Indies will face the world’s No. 1-ranked team in both formats, with Hope named captain for the ODI and T20I series. The ODI squad largely retains the core group that featured in the recent home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
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John Campbell returns to the ODI squad after missing the final two matches against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury, while Shimron Hetmyer has been included in the T20I squad following an extended recovery period after the Caribbean Premier League.
POORAN GETS FIRST CALL-UP
Opening batter Kamil Pooran has earned his maiden T20I call-up after an impressive campaign in the Caribbean Premier League.
The right-hander scored 273 runs in eight innings during the CPL, striking at 159.64 and averaging 39. His performances have earned him a place in a West Indies T20I squad that is being built with the 2028 T20 World Cup in mind.
Quentin Sampson, who was part of the West Indies squad at the T20 World Cup earlier this year in India, has also been included.
All-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the series. Head coach Daren Sammy said the T20I squad had been selected with the team’s long-term objectives in mind.
“We are looking to build on the momentum from our series win against Sri Lanka, with the long-term goal of developing a strong core of players ahead of the next T20 World Cup,” Sammy said.
“The challenge of playing against the World Champions at home will provide valuable preparation, allowing us to continue improving and developing both individually and as a collective unit.”
CAMPBELL RETURNS
John Campbell has returned to the ODI squad after missing the final two matches of the recent series against New Zealand because of a hamstring injury.
Ackeem Auguste, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the India tour as he continues his rehabilitation following surgery in August.
Jewel Andrew has replaced Auguste in the ODI squad and will provide an option in the top and middle order.
Hetmyer, who featured in the final two ODIs against New Zealand, has been permitted an extended recovery period following the CPL and will join the squad for the T20I series.
WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION
The first two ODIs against India will bring the automatic qualification cycle for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to a close.
West Indies, however, will be unable to overtake their nearest challengers in the qualification standings regardless of the results against India. They will therefore have to participate in the qualification tournament early next year.
Sammy stressed that the series remains an important opportunity for the ODI side to prepare for the next phase of its development.
“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,” Sammy said.
“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.”
WEST INDIES SQUADS
ODI squad: 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.
T20I squad: 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.
The West Indies squad will depart the Caribbean on September 21 and is scheduled to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
