West Indies Announce India Tour Squads: John Campbell Returns, Kamil Pooran Gets Maiden T20I Call-Up
West Indies have announced their ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of India, with several important changes making the selection news particularly interesting. The Caribbean side will play three ODIs and five T20Is against India between September 27 and October 17, with matches scheduled across eight Indian cities.
The biggest talking points are the return of experienced opener John Campbell to the ODI squad and the maiden T20I call-up for exciting young batter Kamil Pooran. Shai Hope will captain both squads as West Indies prepare to face India, who currently sit at No. 1 in the ICC rankings in both formats.
John Campbell Returns to ODI Squad
John Campbell is back in the West Indies ODI setup after missing the final two matches of the recent home series against New Zealand because of a hamstring injury.
His return gives the Caribbean side another experienced opening option as they begin the final stretch of their preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Campbell’s inclusion also adds experience to an otherwise interesting squad that contains several players looking to establish themselves in the international setup.
The ODI squad will be led by wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope. Jewel Andrew has also been included after Ackeem Auguste was ruled out while continuing his recovery from surgery in August.
One notable omission is Shimron Hetmyer. He played in West Indies’ final two ODIs against New Zealand but has been given additional recovery time following the Caribbean Premier League. He will, however, return for the five-match T20I series against India.
The ODI squad includes Shai Hope, 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 and Jayden Seales.
Kamil Pooran Gets First T20I Call-Up
The most eye-catching selection in the T20I squad is Kamil Pooran, who has received his maiden call-up after an impressive run of form.
The right-handed opening batter has scored 273 runs in eight innings in the 2026 Caribbean Premier League, averaging 39 and striking at an impressive 159.64. Those numbers have earned him an opportunity to test himself against one of the strongest T20I sides in international cricket.
His selection also fits into West Indies’ longer-term planning. Head coach Daren Sammy has indicated that the team is looking to develop a strong core ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup.
For Pooran, the India series could therefore be an important first step at international level. Playing in Indian conditions against a high-quality bowling attack should provide a very different challenge from domestic and franchise cricket.
Quentin Sampson has also been selected after being part of the West Indies squad at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India. Shimron Hetmyer returns to the T20I group, adding another experienced batting option.
Jason Holder Rested for India Tour
Experienced all-rounder Jason Holder is the major absentee from the announced squads. Cricket West Indies confirmed that Holder has been rested for the tour.
His absence means West Indies will have to rely on other all-round options, including Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd across the two formats.
The T20I squad also features Akeal Hosein, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales, giving the Caribbean side a mix of established international players and emerging talent.
West Indies vs India: Full 2026 Schedule
The tour begins with the ODI series before moving into five T20Is.
The first ODI will be played on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by the second ODI in Guwahati on September 30. The final ODI will take place in New Chandigarh on October 3.
The T20I leg starts in Lucknow on October 6. Ranchi will host the second T20I on October 9, followed by Indore on October 11. Hyderabad hosts the fourth match on October 14 before the series concludes in Bengaluru on October 17.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The schedule gives both teams plenty of opportunities to assess their combinations. For West Indies, the ODI leg carries an additional significance because the automatic qualification cycle for the 2027 World Cup reaches its conclusion after the second ODI against India.
West Indies are unable to finish above their nearest challengers in the qualification standings and will therefore need to enter the qualification tournament early next year.
That makes the India series more than just another bilateral assignment. The West Indies management can use these matches to evaluate players who could have important roles in the next phase of their ODI campaign.
Daren Sammy Looks at the Bigger Picture
Head coach Daren Sammy has described the India series as an opportunity for West Indies to measure themselves against the world’s top-ranked team.
The ODI matches can help the side fine-tune its plans ahead of the next stage of World Cup preparation, while the T20Is offer younger players such as Kamil Pooran a chance to enter the international setup.
The T20I series is also part of West Indies’ longer-term planning for the 2028 T20 World Cup. Sammy has highlighted the importance of building a strong core rather than focusing only on the immediate results of the India tour.
For Indian fans, the series will also feature plenty of familiar names. India have named their squads for the same eight-match tour, with Shubman Gill leading the ODI side and Shreyas Iyer captaining the T20I team. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are included in India’s ODI squad, while several younger players feature in the T20I group.
That combination of established stars and emerging players should make the upcoming series an interesting test for both teams.
West Indies are scheduled to leave the Caribbean on September 21 and arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23, four days before the opening ODI.
With John Campbell returning, Kamil Pooran receiving his first T20I opportunity and Hetmyer coming back for the shortest format, there are several selection stories to follow before the first ball is bowled.
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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.
