Pooran, Sampson earn T20I call-ups for India tour

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Following an impressive showing in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Kamil Pooran has earned a maiden call-up to the West Indies T20 International (T20I) squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of India.

The 30-year-old opening batsman was named in the West Indies’ 15-man squad, unveiled by Cricket West Indies o(CWI) n Saturday. The squad also features the return of exciting lower-order batter Quentin Sampson.

The regional side will face top-ranked India in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series from September 27 to October 3 before contesting a five-match T20I series from October 6 to 17.

Before yesterday’s CPL final, Pooran was the tournament’s seventh-leading run-scorer, despite his St Lucia Kings failing to reach the playoffs.

He scored 273 runs in eight innings at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 159.64.

Meanwhile, Sampson, who was left out of the T20I series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, returns after a solid CPL campaign with the Guyana Amazon Warriors. He scored 141 runs in 12 matches at an average of 28.20.

CWI confirmed that veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the series.

Head coach Daren Sammy said the team had been selected with a clear focus on long-term objectives.

“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,” Sammy said.

John Campbell returns to the ODI squad after recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained during the series against New Zealand, while Ackeem Auguste has been ruled out of the tour as he continues rehabilitation following surgery in August.

He has been replaced by Jewel Andrew, who will provide a top- and middle-order batting option.

Shimron Hetmyer, who featured in the last two matches of the New Zealand series and has been in prolific form for the Amazon Warriors in the CPL, has been granted an extended recovery period. He will miss the ODI series but is expected to join the squad for the T20Is.

Regardless of the outcome of the ODI series, the West Indies will have to participate in the ICC qualification tournament early next year to secure a place in the World Cup.

Despite this, Sammy reiterated the importance of the series.

“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.

“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,” Sammy said.

The squad departs the Caribbean today and is scheduled to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23.

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 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.

Tour schedule

1st ODI: September 27, Thiruvananthapuram

2nd ODI: September 30, Guwahati

3rd ODI: October 3, New Chandigarh

1st T20I: October 6, Lucknow

2nd T20I: October 9, Ranchi

3rd T20I: October 11, Indore

4th T20I: October 14, Hyderabad

5th T20I: October 17, Bengaluru