West Indies announce squads for tour of India: John Campbell returns, Kamil Pooran earns first T20I call-up

John Campbell (Getty Images) West Indies have brought back veteran opener John Campbell for their upcoming ODI series against India, while Kamil Pooran has been given his first T20I call-up. The Caribbean side will take on 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 with a hamstring injury. Captain Shai Hope will lead the 15-man ODI squad that includes young batsman Jewel Andrew. Andrew replaces Ackeem Auguste, who is still recovering from surgery he underwent in August.Shimron Hetmyer, who featured in West Indies’ last two ODIs against New Zealand, has been left out of the ODI squad. However, he will return for the T20I series after being given extra time to recover after the Caribbean Premier League.

India series chances to prepare for the World Cup

The first two ODIs against India will end the automatic qualifying phase for the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup. However, West Indies will have to play a qualifying tournament early next year after failing to finish ahead of their nearest rivals in the table.Head coach Daren Sammy believes the India series will give his team a valuable chance to test themselves against the world’s best in ODIs and T20Is and prepare for the World Cup.“Playing against the best team in the world gives us a chance to fine-tune and improve our performances as an ODI team that has recorded quality performances throughout the cycle,” said Sammy.The most talked about T20I squad is the inclusion of Kamil, who has earned his first 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 the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup in India earlier this year, has also been selected. Meanwhile, veteran all-rounder Jason Holder 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 are looking to build for the next T20 World Cup

The T20I squad also includes 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 aim of developing a strong core of players ahead of the next T20 World Cup,” said Sammy.The West Indies squad will leave the Caribbean on September 21 and arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23, four days before the start of the ODI series.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.