West Indies Announce Squad for India Tour, Newcomer Kamiel Pooran Earns Call-Up

Cricket West Indies (CWI) have announced their ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of India, which begins on September 27. The 15-member squads feature young opening batter Kamiel Pooran, who has received his first call-up to the national T20I team. Meanwhile, in-form Shimron Hetmyer has been included in the T20I squad. However, all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the entire tour.

Kamiel Pooran has caught the eye with his impressive performances for Saint Lucia Kings in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The young batter has scored 273 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 159.64. Explaining his inclusion, CWI said he has been added to the squad as part of their plan to develop emerging talent with the 2028 T20 World Cup in mind.

Shimron Hetmyer, the second-highest run-scorer in the CPL, has been included in the T20I squad but has been rested for the ODI series. The board said the decision was taken to give him some additional time to recover after the CPL. Hetmyer will join the team in India later.

Opening batter John Campbell has returned to the West Indies ODI squad after recovering from a hamstring injury. Middle-order batter Quentin Sampson has earned his first call-up to the T20I squad. Top-order batter Akeem Auguste has been ruled out of the tour after undergoing surgery in August due to an injury.

Jewel Andrew has also been included in both squads.

From September 27 to October 18, the Caribbean side will play three ODIs and five T20Is across eight different cities in India. The West Indies team will leave home on September 21 and arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23.

Notably, the first two ODIs of the series will mark the end of the direct qualification period for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. However, even if West Indies win those matches, they will have to go through the qualifying tournament early next year to secure a place in the main event, as they remain behind on rating points.

West Indies ODI Squad:

Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Laws, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.

West Indies T20I Squad:

Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamiel Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.