Pooran Earns Maiden Call-Up as West Indies Ring Changes for India Tour

Cricket West Indies has handed a first international call-up to opener Kamil Pooran for the five-match T20I series in India, rewarding an impressive debut Caribbean Premier League campaign for Saint Lucia Kings.

Pooran scored 273 runs in eight CPL outings at a strike rate of 159.34, a body of work that has now earned him elevation to the senior squad. He is joined by batter Quentin Sampson and all-rounder Keemo Paul, both of whom have been recalled.

The T20I squad will be without Jason Holder, who has been rested after establishing himself as a pivotal figure in the format. Shimron Hetmyer, meanwhile, has been granted an extended recovery period following the CPL, allowing him to skip the ODI leg of the tour from September 27 to October 3. Cricket West Indies stated that Hetmyer remains committed to the team’s 50-over plans, and he will link up with the T20I squad for the series beginning October 6.

ODI Squad Takes Familiar Shape

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. Auguste continues his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery last month, and in his place the selectors have recalled 19-year-old Jewel Andrew, who has also been included in the T20 squad.

Opener John Campbell returns after missing 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 and will have to play next year’s Qualifiers.

Head coach Daren Sammy framed the series as an opportunity that extends beyond immediate results.

“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.”

The first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27 kicks off the tour.

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 Lawes, 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, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer

                                               

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