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

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-20

West Indies cricket just made a move that turned heads across the cricket world. Opening batter Kamil Pooran has earned his first T20I call-up for the white-ball tour of India, starting September 27. It's a selection that signals a clear shift in strategy. ### Why Kamil Pooran's Selection Matters Pooran's numbers in CPL 2026 were hard to ignore. He racked up 273 runs in eight innings for St Lucia Kings, striking at 159.64. That's not just good—it's the kind of form that forces selectors to take notice. Cricket West Indies (CWI) said the pick is part of a planned effort to build emerging players ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup. But here's the thing: this isn't just about one player. It's about a broader vision. Middle-order batter Quentin Sampson is another T20I prospect in the group, and Jewel Andrew—who last played for West Indies in September 2025—is back in both the ODI and T20I squads. Shai Hope will captain both sides, bringing stability to a young group. ### Hetmyer Skips ODIs, Holder Rested Shimron Hetmyer, the second-highest run-scorer in CPL 2026, won't play the three-match ODI series. Instead, he'll join the team in India for the five T20Is. CWI said he remains committed but needs an extended recovery period after the CPL. He played the last two ODIs against New Zealand in July and scored an unbeaten 69 in the fifth ODI, a match West Indies won. Jason Holder, who captained St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the CPL, has been rested and appears in neither squad. He hasn't played an ODI since July 2023, but he was part of the West Indies team for their most recent T20I assignment against Sri Lanka in June. Opener John Campbell returns to the ODI squad after recovering from a hamstring injury. Ackeem Auguste is out while he recovers from surgery in August. ### Tour Dates and World Cup Qualification West Indies will play three ODIs and five T20Is across eight cities in India between September 27 and October 18. The squad leaves home on September 21 and reaches Thiruvananthapuram on September 23. The first two ODIs close the automatic qualification period for the 2027 ICC men's ODI World Cup. West Indies still have to play the qualification tournament early next year, because even wins in the series won't lift them above their nearest challengers in the standings. Head coach Daren Sammy said playing against the top team in the world lets West Indies fine-tune their ODI performances. He added that the series gives the team a chance to assess players in new roles with the 2027 World Cup in mind. ### Full Squads **West Indies 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. **West Indies 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 Going Forward This tour is more than just a series. It's a testing ground. With the 2027 ODI World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup on the horizon, West Indies are clearly in transition mode. Giving players like Kamil Pooran a shot now could pay off big later. And for fans, it's a chance to see the next generation of West Indies cricket take shape. As Daren Sammy put it: "Playing against the top team in the world lets us fine-tune our ODI performances." That's the mindset. Use these matches to learn, adapt, and grow. The results matter, sure—but the bigger picture is what counts. For more cricket news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog!