West Indies have strengthened their squad on the eve of the five-match T20I series against India by drafting in middle-order batter Amir Jangoo. The call-up comes on the heels of Jangoo's prolific run in the recently concluded three-match ODI series, providing essential batting backup as young wicketkeeper Jewel Andrew continues to recover from a finger injury sustained in the final one-day fixture.
Jewel Andrew Under Medical Supervision After Fielding Mishap
Nineteen-year-old Jewel Andrew endured an eventful ODI leg of the tour. After being dismissed for a golden duck in the opening match against India, Andrew was left out of the playing XI for the second fixture. He earned a recall for the series decider, but his outing was cut short during India's innings when he hurt his finger while attempting to complete a catch off Naman Dhir.
Andrew was promptly escorted from the ground to a medical facility for diagnostic scans. Cricket West Indies confirmed on October 5 that the imaging showed no bone fracture, providing substantial relief to the touring management. Nevertheless, Andrew was unable to come out to bat during the subsequent successful run chase and remains under close medical monitoring. While team officials have refrained from ruling him out of the five-match T20 rubber entirely, Jangoo has been drafted into the touring party as an immediate contingency plan.
Amir Jangoo Capitalises on Exceptional Run-Scoring Form
The call-up represents a deserved reward for 29-year-old Amir Jangoo, who proved to be one of the standout performers across the three ODI matches. Demonstrating remarkable consistency, Jangoo compiled innings of 58 not out, 114, and 67, amassing an aggregate of 239 runs across the rubber. His prolific output placed him third on the overall run charts for the bilateral series, trailing only India's Shubman Gill with 334 runs and West Indies' Shai Hope with 278 runs.
Having made his international debut in December 2024, Jangoo brings prior experience in the shortest format to the dressing room. Across seven career T20 Internationals for West Indies, he has accumulated 163 runs while maintaining a strike rate of 120.74. With the batting lineup needing depth against a potent Indian bowling attack, the team hierarchy will look to leverage his red-hot form should Andrew fail to recover in time.
Schedule for the Five-Match T20I Series
The bilateral T20 international contest gets underway on Tuesday, October 6, with the opening encounter scheduled in Lucknow. The series then travels east for the second match in Ranchi on October 9, followed by the third fixture in Indore on October 11. The action shifts south for the fourth match in Hyderabad on October 14, before culminating with the fifth and final encounter in Bengaluru on October 17.
