The West Indies have named an unchanged T20I squad for the three matches versus India at Eden Gardens in Calcutta beginning from February 16. Kieron Pollard will be leading the team with Nicholas Pooran as his deputy.

Along with Pollard and Pooran, nine other Windies cricketers feature in both the ODI and T20I squads: Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith and Hayden Walsh Jr.

Fitness concerns ruled left-handed middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer out of the squad, which is the first T20I group selected by new chief selector Desmond Haynes. With the likes of Odean, Kyle Mayers and Shepherd being impressive in the T20I series versus England, no changes were made to the squad for the India tour.

All-rounder Odean keeps his place after a bizarre incident last week. There were claims of him being “victimised” after he was left out for the third T20I against England to make way for Rovman Powell. The claims were made in a voice note sent to scribes, but duly rubbished by head coach Phil Simmons.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt termed the allegations “a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies captain, designed to sow division within our team”.

TN duo standbys

Tamil Nadu duo Shahrukh Khan and R Sai Kishore will be joining the Indian team as stand-by players for the home series versus the Windies. Their call-up is more of a precautionary measure in these Covid-19 times. Shahrukh and Sai Kishore will also be entering the bubble with the main team players.

West Indies XVI

Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran, 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.