Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the ODI and T20I squads for the 2026 tour of India, featuring a maiden international call-up for Kamil Pooran and the consolidation of leadership under Shai Hope. The squads for the three-week tour reflect a focus on the 2027 World Cup cycle, with several changes to the leadership structure and personnel.
Kamil Pooran joins the T20I squad following a CPL 2026 season in which he scored 273 runs at a strike rate of 159.64. His inclusion comes as the team continues to play without Nicholas Pooran, who has remained unavailable for selection since retiring from international cricket in June 2025.
In a notable shift in team hierarchy, Shai Hope will captain both the ODI and T20I squads for the tour. While former T20I captain Rovman Powell is included in the squad, he will not lead the side. Analysis of the selection suggests this move toward a unified white-ball leadership model is intended to provide tactical consistency ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Experienced all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for both legs of the tour despite his history in Indian conditions. The ODI squad sees the return of John Campbell, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the series against New Zealand. Additionally, Jewel Andrew has been named in both squads as a replacement for Ackeem Auguste, who is recovering from surgery performed in August.
Shimron Hetmyer is excluded from the ODI squad to undergo an “extended recovery period” but is scheduled to join the T20I squad later in the tour. The Caribbean side currently sits 10th in the ICC ODI rankings and faces a top-ranked Indian team in the opening fixture on September 27.
Head coach Daren Sammy stated that the series serves as a platform to evaluate players for the long-term goal of the 2027 tournament. “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,” Sammy said.
The tour is scheduled to conclude on October 17, following the completion of the T20I leg.
