The big-hitting Shimron Hetmyer remained unavailable due to fitness issues as the West Indies named a 16-member squad for the T20 series against India, keeping faith in the outfit that defeated England in a five-match home contest earlier this month.
West Indies have already named the ODI squad under Pollard. Eleven players feature in both the limited-overs squads—Pollard, Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith and Hayden Walsh Jr.
Hetmyer was left out of the squad on fitness grounds once again. Earlier this month, West Indies head coach Phil Simmons had expressed unhappiness at Hetmyer's attitude towards physical fitness.
The 25-year-old swashbuckler failed a fitness test prior to the series against England and has still not been found up to it. Coach Phil Simmons had stated that it was "heart-wrenching" to see him continuously "letting down himself and his teammates."
"The team has been doing well in the Betway T20I Series against England in Barbados and we decided to stick with the same group of players. They have demonstrated great skill and fight and we expect the same kind of performances on the tour of India," chief selector Desmond Haynes said while announcing the squad during the weekend.
West Indies put up an impressive showing against England, winning the five-match T20Is series 3-2.
Last week, team India announced its squad, giving young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi his maiden call-up, while senior wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also returned to the white-ball setup after a knee surgery.
Skipper Rohit Sharma makes his return from an injury. R. Ashwin has been dropped and Washington Sundar is back in the squad.
Most importantly, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been rested for the series.
The three T20Is will be played in Kolkata on February 16, 18 and 20, following a three-match ODI series which will be held in Ahmedabad on February 6, 9 and 11.
West Indies T20I Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh Jr.
-With inputs from PTI
