West Indies Announce Squads for Upcoming India Tour, Welcoming Back John Campbell and Debuting Kamil Pooran
The West Indies cricket team is gearing up for their forthcoming tour of India, where they will compete in three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) from September 27 to October 17. A highlight of their squad announcement is the return of experienced opener John Campbell, alongside the exciting news of Kamil Pooran receiving his first T20I call-up.
Campbell, who missed the last two ODIs against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury, is set to return to the squad. The team will be captained by Shai Hope and features a 15-member ODI lineup, which includes young batter Jewel Andrew. Andrew steps in for Ackeem Auguste, who is still recuperating from surgery.
Notably absent from the ODI squad is Shimron Hetmyer, who played in the last two ODIs against New Zealand but has been rested to allow for further recovery after the Caribbean Premier League.
Preparing for the World Cup Challenge
This series against India is crucial for the West Indies team, as it marks the end of the automatic qualification phase for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. Unfortunately, the team will have to enter a qualification tournament early next year after struggling to secure a place among the top teams.
Head coach Daren Sammy sees this series as a critical opportunity for his players to test their skills against one of the world’s best ODI and T20I teams. He stated, “Competing with the top team will help us sharpen our abilities and improve as an ODI team, which has shown promise during this cycle.”
Kamil Pooran’s selection has generated enthusiasm, as he has demonstrated impressive form recently, scoring 273 runs in eight innings with a striking rate of 159.64 and an average of 39. Additionally, Quentin Sampson, who previously participated in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, is also included in the T20I squad. Meanwhile, veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for this series.
Building for the Future
Both squads aim to build momentum, especially the T20I side, which includes Hope, Roston Chase, Hetmyer, and others. “We are looking to create a strong team foundation as we progress towards the next T20 World Cup,” Sammy remarked, emphasizing the long-term vision for the team.
The West Indies will depart from the Caribbean on September 21 and arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23, just four days before the ODI series kicks off.
The ODI squad features: 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, and Jayden Seales.
The T20I squad is comprised of: 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, and Shamar Springer.
As the cricketing world watches, the West Indies aim to make a strong statement in India.
