By India Today Sports Desk: West Indies have announced their squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, with experienced wicket-keeper batter Shai Hope and fast bowler Oshane Thomas being notable inclusions. Hope, who serves as the captain of the West Indies in 50-over cricket, has not played a T20I for the team since February of the previous year. Meanwhile, Thomas is set to participate in his first international 20-over contest since December 2021. The 15-player squad has been carefully chosen by selectors to compete against India in the matches scheduled for August.
The responsibility of leading the West Indies in this T20I series falls upon experienced batter Rovman Powell, who has been appointed captain once again. The team boasts a strong lineup, with players like Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, and vice-captain Kyle Mayers providing ample firepower.
Despite not qualifying for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India this year, the series against India will serve as vital preparation for the West Indies in their pursuit of success at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the West Indies, along with the USA, will co-host the Men’s T20 World Cup, adding even more significance to their preparations and aspirations for the tournament.
“The squad is selected with the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in mind,” chief selector and West Indies great Desmond Haynes said.
“We are looking at various plans as we try to find the right combinations. As we prepare; we are looking to build a unit which we believe can do the job when we host the global event in just under a year.
“We have some match-winners in our line-up and we will look to have the right kind of preparation, starting here in Trinidad on Thursday.”
The series switches to Guyana for the second and third matches following the series opener in Trinidad on August 3, with the final two games played at Broward County Stadium in Florida.
West Indies T20I squad: Rovman Powell (c), Kyle Mayers (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas.
India T20I squad: Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav (vc), Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (c), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.
Schedule:
August 3: 1st T20I, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad
August 6: 2nd T20I, National Stadium, Guyana
August 8: 3rd T20I, National Stadium Guyana
August 12: 4th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida
August 13: 5th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida
