West Indies announce squad for T20 series against India

Brathwaite named new T20 captain

West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite might have only played eight T20Is but he has been appointed as the West Indies T20 captain, replacing Darren Sammy, who was left out of the squad to face India in two T20 matches in Florida after the Test series.

Darren Sammy posted a Facebook video where he explained that he was sacked as captain in a 30-second call conversation with the Chairman of Selectors after being captain for six yeard during which time he won two World T20s and now the inexperienced Brathwaite will take over as the T20 captain.

A WICB release said: "With regards to Sammy's omission from the squad, the Chairman [of selectors Courtney Browne] noted that the named-squad was selected purely on players' performances. The selection panel has expressed its thanks to former captain, Daren Sammy for his leadership of that format of the game for the two World Championship titles in 2012 and earlier this year.”

Brathwaite was the hero in this year’s World T20 final as he hit four consecutive sixes to help West Indies win their second World T20 final. Since then, he was part of the WI side that took part in the tri-series, played in the Caribbean Premier League and in a Test against India in Antigua as well.

On Brathwaite’s appointment, Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said: "Brathwaite is one of the most talented players in the T20 format of the game and his humble and committed approach to the game can inspire young and upcoming players. We are looking forward to a competitive series against India in these matches.”

The rest of the squad is largely comprising of the usual suspects as the likes of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell, who were part of the victorious Jamaica Tallwahs side who claimed CPL 2016 feature, as well as all-rounders Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard.

The batting department has plenty of depth, with the likes of Andre Fletcher, in-form Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels part of the batting order. While the bowling isn’t filled with as many specialists, the presence of two world-class spinners in Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine will certainly help their chances of beating India in the T20 series.

West Indies T20 squad: Andre Fletcher, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Jason Holder, Johnson Charles, Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree, Sunil Narine.