West Indies Announce India Tour Squads, Kamil Gets Maiden T20I Call-Up; Hetmyer Returns

West Indies have announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of India, with Shai Hope set to lead the side in both the ODI and T20I series.

The Caribbean team will play three ODIs and five T20Is between September 27 and October 18 across eight venues. The West Indies will take on the world’s top-ranked side in both formats, with the ODI squad largely retaining the core group that featured in the recent home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

John Campbell returns to the ODI squad after missing the final two games against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury. Shimron Hetmyer, meanwhile, has been named in the T20I squad after being given an extended recovery period following the Caribbean Premier League.

Kamil Pooran Receives Maiden T20I Call-Up

Opening batter Kamil Pooran has earned his first T20I call-up following an impressive Caribbean Premier League campaign.

The right-hander scored 273 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 159.64 and an average of 39. His performances have earned him a place in a West Indies T20I squad being developed with the 2028 T20 World Cup as a long-term target.

Quentin Sampson, who was part of the West Indies squad at the T20 World Cup earlier this year in India, has also been selected.

All-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the tour. Head coach Daren Sammy said the T20I squad was chosen with the team’s long-term development plans 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.

He added that facing the world champions on their home ground would provide the team with valuable preparation and an opportunity for players to continue developing individually and collectively.

Campbell Returns to ODI Squad

John Campbell has been recalled to the ODI squad after missing the final two matches of the recent New Zealand series because of a hamstring injury.

Ackeem Auguste has been ruled out of the India tour as he continues his rehabilitation following surgery in August. Jewel Andrew has been brought into the ODI squad as his replacement and offers another option in the top and middle order.

Hetmyer, who played in the final two ODIs against New Zealand, has been given additional recovery time after the CPL and will join the team for the T20I leg of the tour.

World Cup Qualification

The first two ODIs against India will mark the end of the automatic qualification cycle for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

However, West Indies cannot move above their closest rivals in the qualification table, irrespective of the results against India. As a result, they will have to compete in the qualification tournament early next year.

Sammy said the India series would remain important as the ODI team prepares for the next stage 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 leave the Caribbean on September 21 and is scheduled to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23, ahead of the India series.