Kamil Pooran's Shock Call-Up: What It Means for West Indies

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-20

West Indies cricket just dropped a squad announcement that's got fans talking. Kamil Pooran, a name you might not know yet, is now in the T20I squad for the first time. The tour of India starts September 27, and it's a big deal. ### Kamil Pooran's Rise After CPL 2026 Pooran made his mark in CPL 2026, scoring 273 runs in eight innings for St Lucia Kings. His strike rate? A blistering 159.64. That's not just good; it's the kind of performance that forces selectors to take notice. Cricket West Indies (CWI) said the selection is part of a plan to build for the 2028 T20 World Cup. They're looking for fresh talent, and Pooran fits the bill. ### Shimron Hetmyer Skips ODIs, Jason Holder Rested Shimron Hetmyer, the second-highest run-scorer in CPL 2026, won't play the ODIs. He'll join the T20I squad later. CWI says he needs recovery time after a long CPL season. Hetmyer remains committed, and his unbeaten 69 against New Zealand in July shows he's still got it. Jason Holder, on the other hand, is rested for both squads. He hasn't played an ODI since July 2023, but he was part of the T20I team against Sri Lanka in June. His experience will be missed, but it's a chance for others to step up. ### Tour Details and World Cup Qualification West Indies will play three ODIs and five T20Is across eight Indian cities from September 27 to October 18. The squad leaves on September 21 and reaches Thiruvananthapuram on September 23. The first two ODIs are crucial because they close the automatic qualification period for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Even if West Indies win the series, they might not leapfrog their rivals in the standings. So they'll likely need to go through the qualification tournament early next year. Head coach Daren Sammy sees this series as a chance to fine-tune ODI performances and test players in new roles. "Playing against the top team in the world lets us assess where we stand," he said. ### Full Squads **ODI Squad:** Shai Hope (capt), 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. **T20I Squad:** Shai Hope (capt), 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. ### What This Means for West Indies Cricket This tour isn't just about winning matches; it's about building a team for the future. With the 2027 and 2028 World Cups on the horizon, every series matters. Players like Kamil Pooran and Quentin Sampson have a golden opportunity to prove they belong. For fans, it's exciting to see new faces. For the team, it's a chance to find the right combinations. And for West Indies cricket, it's another step in the journey to regain their former glory. So mark your calendars. The action starts September 27. And who knows? We might just witness the birth of a new star.