West Indies have brought back experienced opener John Campbell for their upcoming ODI series against India, while Kamil Pooran has received his first T20I call-up. The Caribbean side will face India in three ODIs and five T20Is from September 27 to October 17, with the series spread across eight cities.Campbell returns after missing the last two ODIs against New Zealand because of a hamstring injury. Captain Shai Hope will lead the 15-member ODI squad, which also includes young batter Jewel Andrew. Andrew replaces Ackeem Auguste, who is still recovering from surgery he underwent in August.Shimron Hetmyer, who featured in West Indies’ final two ODIs against New Zealand, has been left out of the ODI squad. However, he will return for the T20I series after being given additional time to recover following the Caribbean Premier League.
India series a chance to prepare for World Cup
The first two ODIs against India will bring the automatic qualification phase for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup to an end. West Indies, however, will have to play a qualification tournament early next year after failing to finish ahead of their closest rivals in the standings.Head coach Daren Sammy believes the India series will give his team a valuable chance to test themselves against the world’s top-ranked ODI and T20I side and prepare for the World Cup.“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.In the T20I squad, the biggest talking point is the inclusion of Kamil, who has earned his maiden call-up after an impressive recent run. The right-handed opener scored 273 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 159.64 and an average of 39.Quentin Sampson, who was part of West Indies’ T20 World Cup squad earlier this year in India, has also been selected. Experienced all-rounder Jason Holder, meanwhile, has been rested.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 look to build for next T20 World Cup
The T20I squad also features Hope, Roston Chase, Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer.“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 West Indies squad will leave the Caribbean on September 21 and reach Thiruvananthapuram on September 23, four days before the ODI series begins.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.