West Indies announce T20I squad for England and Ireland series, Pooran opts out and Holder, Russell make comeback

West Indies on June 3 announced their T20I squads for series against England and Ireland. Veteran all-rounders Jason Holder and Andre Russell have made a comeback to the T20I squad as West Indies will be without the services of Nicholas Pooran who has asked for rest following the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Russell hasn't played a T20I since November 2024. He faced an ankle issue which led to him getting ruled out of the series. Holder's last T20I appearance was in February 2024. He missed the T20 World Cup 2024 at home due to injury.

Pooran's absence a big miss

Pooran was in good form. He was Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) second-highest run-scorer. He scored 524 runs from 14 innings at an average of 43.67, including five fifties. He scored at a strike rate of 196.25. He hit 40 sixes in the tournament, a tally that can only be surpassed by Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer.

Former T20I captain Rovman Powell will play for the first since since Shai Hope has replacement him as captain. An in-form Sherfane Rutherford is another player who is making a comeback.

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Keacy Carty has been in red-hot form in ODIs but he is only available for the Ireland T20I series. He will replace Brandon King who has asked for a break after England T20Is. Similarly, newly-appointed Test captain Roston Chase will return home after England series to prepare for three-Test series at home against Australia. In Chase's absence, Jyd Goolie has receieved his maiden call-up for Ireland series.

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Change in coaching staff after England series

The three-T20I series against England will be played from June 6 to June 10. Then, they will head to Ireland. The T20I series against the Irish will begin on June 12 and end on June 15. There will be a change in coaching staff as well after England series. Head coach Daren Sammy and assistant coaches Floyd Reifer and Ravi Rampaul will leave after England series. For Ireland series, Rayon Griffith will be at the helm of things.

West Indies' T20I squad for England -

Shai Hope (c), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

West Indies' T20I squad for Ireland -

Shai Hope (c), Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jyd Goolie, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd