The West Indies have chosen a 16-man squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series in India, which begins on February 16 and will be led by Kieron Pollard. This is the same lineup that faced England in the home match.
Following the three-match ODI series in Ahmedabad on February 6, 9, and 11, the three T20Is will be played in Kolkata on February 16, 18, and 20. The ODI squad for the West Indies has already been chosen by Pollard.
Pollard, Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, and Hayden Walsh Jr. are among the eleven players in both limited-overs squads. Shimron Hetmyer has been left out of the team again due to fitness concerns. This time last month, Phil Simmons, the head coach of the West Indies, had expressed dissatisfaction with Hetmyer’s attitude toward physical fitness.
We chose to keep the same core of players because the team has been doing well in the Betway T20I Series against England in Barbados. Chief selector Desmond Haynes stated, “They have displayed outstanding skill and fight, and we expect the same kind of performances on the tour to India.”
Odean Smith, an all-rounder, was also chosen in the squad following a curious episode in which he was accused of being “victimized” after being taken out of the third T20I against England to make room for Rovman Powell.
The claims were made in a voice message forwarded to the media; the sender’s identity has not yet been revealed. The charges were dismissed by Simmons and Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt, who called them “a deliberate attack on the credibility of the West Indies captain, meant to sow dissension within our team.”
The West Indies dominated England in the five-match T20I series, winning all five games 3-2.
Over the weekend, the West Indies T20I squad for the India series was announced.
West Indies T20I Squad:
Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh Jr. West Indies T20I Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-cap