The West Indies have confirmed their squads for the forthcoming trip of India, with Shimron Hetmyer resting for the three-match ODI series. Hetmyer has been granted a longer rehabilitation period following the Caribbean Premier League and will miss the One-Day Internationals, which begin on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram and end on October 3. He is scheduled to join the T20I squad when the series begins on October 6.
The selectors also gave Kamil Pooran his first international call-up, after he impressed for Saint Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League. Pooran scored 273 runs in eight games with a strike rate of 159.34 and has been included to the T20I squad. Quentin Sampson and Keemo Paul have been called up for the five-match T20I series, while Jason Holder has been rested. Jewel Andrew, 19, has been recalled and picked to both the ODI and T20I squads.
The ODI team resembles the group that lost 3-2 to New Zealand in July. John Campbell returns after missing the last two New Zealand ODIs due to injury, but Ackeem Auguste remains sidelined as he continues his recuperation following surgery last month. Brandon King is also missing from the ODI squad. Shai Hope captains both teams.
What does the India ODI series mean for the West Indies’ World Cup chances?
The three-match ODI series has significance beyond the outcome. The second ODI, on September 30, marks the end of the cycle for automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup in Africa. West Indies failed to make the automatic cut and will instead compete in next year’s Qualifiers.
Why is Kamil Pooran’s call-up significant in the T20I series?
Kamil Pooran’s selection is a significant occasion in West Indies T20I strategy ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle. His CPL figures for the Saint Lucia Kings, 273 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 159.34, provided a strong case for his selection, and the selectors acted promptly to reward that performance with his first senior call-up.
Jason Holder’s absence from the T20I team, as well as the recalls of Quentin Sampson and Keemo Paul, indicate that the selectors intend to evaluate a larger pool of players throughout the five-match series. Holder last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, and his absence from the T20I squad continues a hiatus from the shortest format at international level.
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West Indies whole squad for India tour in 2026
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.
