West Indies team for ODI series against India announced
After being badly hammered by India in two match home test series, now there is a new faced West Indies ODI Squad for next chapter.
West Indies optimistically move to the format they have better chances to do better. It is time for the ODIs, and to strengthen their side, the West Indies team management has called a number of players who were ignored in previous seasons due to disinterest of ordinary performances.
The West Indies cricket team has recently announced its squad for the series, including some notable comebacks and exclusions. With seasoned players like Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder unavailable for selection, the West Indies selectors have turned to the talents of Shimron Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas to bolster their chances against the formidable Indian side.
Recall of Shimron Hetmyer for West Indies ODI Squad
The news of Shimron Hetmyer’s inclusion in the West Indies ODI squad comes as a pleasant surprise for many fans and cricket experts. Despite making himself available for selection in the ODI World Cup Qualifier squad in May, Hetmyer was left out, with the team management opting to give extended opportunities to other players who had performed well in the series leading up to the qualifier. Unfortunately, West Indies failed to qualify for the main event, experiencing defeats in four out of seven games in the Qualifier.
Shimron Hetmyer best innings against India:
106 runs in 78 balls at Guwahati 2018
94 runs in 64 balls at Vishakhapatnam 2018
139 runs in 106 balls at Chennai 2019
Shimron Hetmyer, known for his aggressive and stylish batting, is expected to bring dynamism and flair to the West Indies’ middle order. With his ability to take on opposition bowlers and score briskly in the middle overs, he can prove to be a game-changer for the team. His last ODI appearance dates back to July 2021, against Australia in Barbados. Since then, Hetmyer has featured in various T20 leagues but has been waiting for an opportunity to showcase his talents in the ODI format once again.
The return of Oshane Thomas to West Indies ODI Squad
Fast bowler Oshane Thomas is another exciting inclusion in the West Indies ODI squad against India. Thomas last represented West Indies in December 2021 and has been sidelined due to fitness concerns. However, his pace and ability to generate bounce make him a dangerous proposition for any batting lineup.
Thomas made his mark in international cricket with some fiery spells, making him a potential wicket-taker with the new ball. The West Indies team will be hoping that Thomas has regained his fitness and rhythm after his recent stint with the Falcons in the Lanka Premier League in 2022. If he can consistently bowl with speed and accuracy, he will add teeth to the West Indies’ pace attack.
Players Unavailable and Injured
While the inclusion of Hetmyer and Thomas adds depth to the West Indies squad, the unavailability of Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder is a significant setback. Pooran, known for his explosive batting in the limited-overs formats, and Holder, a proven all-rounder and former captain, have been instrumental in the West Indies setup. Their absence will undoubtedly be felt during the series against India.
Furthermore, all-rounder Keemo Paul’s injury comes as a disappointment for both the player and the team. Paul’s contributions with both bat and ball have been valuable in the past, and his unavailability creates an opportunity for others to step up and fill the void.
Alongside the comebacks of Hetmyer and Thomas, the West Indies squad will also be boosted by the return of fast bowler Jayden Seales and leg-spinner Yannic Cariah. Both players underwent rehab following surgeries, and their presence will give the team more options in both the pace and spin departments.
Additionally, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie’s return after recovering from a lower-back injury adds variety to the West Indies’ spin-bowling resources. The team management will be pleased to have these players back in contention for the series against India, as they offer valuable skills and experience to the side.
Selectors’ Expectations from new West Indies team
The chief selector, Desmond Haynes, expressed his optimism regarding the inclusion of Hetmyer and Thomas in the squad. He highlighted that both players had experienced success at the international level in the past and are expected to fit seamlessly into the team setup. Haynes particularly praised Oshane Thomas’s ability to take wickets with the new ball due to his raw pace, while he acknowledged Hetmyer’s style of batting, which can be influential in the middle overs and potentially as a finisher.
Schedule and Preparation
The West Indies-India ODI series is set to kick off on July 27 at Kensington Oval in Barbados, followed by the second match on July 29, also at Kensington Oval. The third and final ODI will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on August 1. To prepare for the series, the white-ball players underwent a four-day camp at Kensington Oval. This camp aimed to fine-tune their skills, strategy, and team dynamics ahead of the crucial series against India.
The inclusion of Shimron Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas adds an extra layer of excitement to the matches. With Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder unavailable and Keemo Paul injured, Hetmyer and Thomas have a chance to make significant contributions to the team’s performance after being added to the West Indies ODI Squad.
The return of Seales, Cariah, and Motie after rehabilitation further strengthens the West Indies squad. The team’s chief selector is optimistic about their prospects and believes they can make a positive impact in the series. All eyes will be on the upcoming clashes as both teams vie for supremacy on the cricketing stage.
Announced West Indies cricket team for ODI series against India
Shai Hope (c), Rovman Powell (vc), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair and Oshane Thomas.
