West Indies have not included Chris Gayle in their Test squad for the two matches of the series against India. The veteran opener, during World Cup 2019, had announced that he would retire from international cricket after playing ODI and Test series against India but there was no place for him in the squad.
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Gayle hasn’t played any first-class match since September 2014, that also turns out to be his last Test match now. Gayle played a total of 103 Tests in which he scored 7214 runs at 42.18. This also means that India’s third ODI against West Indies next week will be Gayle’s last appearance in international cricket.
West Indies’ squad does not have any surprises. Shamarh Brooks, who led West Indies A in the unofficial Test series that concluded few hours back, is one of the uncapped players in the squad along with Rahkeem Cornwall, who also played in the series.
Chief selector Robert Haynes informed that Alzarri Joseph is still not fit for Test cricket, and was not selected in the team. The right-arm pacer had suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Mumbai Indians this year. He stayed in Mumbai for the rehabilitation process.
Jason Holder will the home side. Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel, who was dropped from the ODI squad, Shai Hope and Kemar Roach are other regulars in the squad.
The two-Test match series will kick off on August 22 with the first Test to be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. The second Test will be played in Jamaica, the home ground of Gayle, from August 30.
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Prior to the Test series, India will play a three-day practice match against West Indies Board President’s XI squad from August 17 to 19. The India Test regulars will fly to the Caribbean islands earlier next week.
The visitors kicked off the tour of the positive note. Virat Kohli-led side whitewashed Carlos Brathwaite-led WI’s T20I side by a margin of 3-0. The first ODI was washed out due to persistent rain in Guyana. The second and third ODI of the series will be played in Trinidad on August 11 and 14 respectively.