Kamil Pooran Earns First T20I Call-Up As West Indies Name Squads For India Series

West Indies have recalled John Campbell to their ODI squad for the upcoming series against India, while promising opener Kamil Pooran has earned his maiden T20I call-up for the eight-match tour.

Campbell, who missed the final two ODIs against New Zealand because of a hamstring injury, returns to a 15-member squad led by Shai Hope. The series will give the West Indies another opportunity to assess their combination against India, the top-ranked side in both ODI and T20I cricket.

Young batter Jewel Andrew has also been included in the ODI squad in place of Ackeem Auguste, who continues his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery in August.

Shimron Hetmyer, who featured in the final two ODIs against New Zealand, has been left out of the 50-over squad but returns to the T20I side. He has been given an extended recovery period following his participation in the Caribbean Premier League.

West Indies will play three ODIs and five T20Is against India from September 27 to October 17, with matches scheduled across eight cities.

The first two ODIs will also bring the curtain down on the automatic qualification cycle for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup. West Indies, however, will have to compete in the qualification tournament early next year after failing to finish above their nearest challengers in the standings.

Head coach Daren Sammy said the India series would provide an important test as the team continues preparations 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," Sammy said.

In the T20I squad, the biggest talking point is the inclusion of Kamil Pooran, who has been rewarded for an impressive recent run of form. 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 included. Experienced all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the five-match series.

Sammy said the team would look to build on its recent series victory over Sri Lanka while developing a strong core ahead of the next T20 World Cup.

The West Indies squad will leave the Caribbean on September 21 and arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23.

The ODI series will be followed by five T20Is, with the entire tour running until October 17.