Cricket West Indies has announced the squads for the upcoming white-ball series against India, featuring three One Day Internationals and five Twenty20 Internationals scheduled from September 27 to October 18 across eight cities.Led by Shai Hope, the West Indies ODI squad retains the core players from recent home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. John Campbell returns to the ODI side after missing the final two matches against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury. Ackeem Auguste, ruled out while rehabilitating from surgery in August, has been replaced by Jewel Andrew, who will provide additional options as a top and middle-order batsman.Shimron Hetmyer, who participated in the last two New Zealand ODIs, is committed to the tour but has been granted an extended recovery period following the Caribbean Premier League and will join the squad for the T20 series.The first two ODIs will conclude the automatic qualification cycle for the ICC Men’s 50-Over World Cup. However, the West Indies cannot surpass their closest competitors in the standings and will enter the ICC qualification tournament next year regardless of the results.Head Coach Daren Sammy emphasised the value of the series, stating, “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.” He added, “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.”In the T20 squad, opening batsman Kamil Pooran has received his first call-up, reflecting a strategic focus on emerging talent ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup. Pooran scored 273 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 159.64 with an average of 39.Quentin Sampson, a member of the ICC T20 World Cup squad earlier this year in India, returns to the team, while all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the series.Sammy commented on the squad’s composition, saying, “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. The challenge of playing against the World Champions at home will provide valuable preparation, allowing us to continue improving and developing both individually and as a collective unit.”The West Indies squad departs the Caribbean on September 21 and arrives in Trivandrum on September 23.West Indies ODI squad against India: 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.
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