West Indies announce squad for ODI series against India

West Indies have announced their squad that will be touring India for the upcoming ODIs. The Desmond Haynes-led selection committee has made a few surprising calls as the Caribbean outfit set out on a challenging sub-continent tour.

While Kemar Roach has been included to bolster their fast-bowling department, Nkrumah Bonner has received a call-up for additional support to the middle order. Brandon King has also reclaimed his position in the national side.

Kemar Roach has been highly impressive in recent times that witnessed him claiming 17 crucial scalps in the last five Test matches. Even though they came at certain intervals, he has been instrumental in shaping the formidability that West Indies could conjure against reckoning forces in the form of South Africa and Pakistan. Roach also looked in fine shape for Surrey as he returned impressive performances against Middlesex and Hampshire.

Brandon King was in fiery form against Pakistan and Ireland, while Bonner will be making a return to the international circuit after a couple of months. Bonner's exploits against England were pretty impressive that saw him garnering key knocks of 44, an unbeaten 68, and a decent 37 against Pakistan.

Lead West Indian selector, Desmond Hayes said of the selection calls, “Kemar Roach is one of our leading fast bowlers and we believe we need bowlers upfront to get an early wicket, and Kemar, with an economy rate of five, is certainly good enough to play. Over the last few years, Nkrumah Bonner's cricket has come on leaps and bounds and we believe he should be given an opportunity to play in the 50-over format."

“We want to have competition for places. We want to reach a stage where we have a lot of players fighting for positions. We want to broaden the pool of players we have to choose from. The team we have selected is a very good side and we are looking at this tour as part of the preparations for the World Cup in India in 2023," he added.

The Kieron Pollard-led side is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is. The ODIs are slated to be played on the 6th, 9th, and 11th of February at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, followed by 3 T20Is that will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The ODIs will also be a part of the ODI Super League.

West Indies squad for the ODI series vs India:

Kieron Pollard (Captain), Fabian Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren, Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.