T20 WC 2021: Ravi Rampaul back in West Indies squad as Sunil Narine misses out

Fast-bowler Ravi Rampaul has benefitted from his heroics in the ongoing edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), after being included in the West Indies’ 15-member squad for the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup. Rampaul last played a T20I for the national team back in November 2015. Spin-bowling allrounder Roston Chase is another interesting addition, having been uncapped in the shortest format of the game for the West Indies. Chase was impressive in both the 2020 edition of the CPL as well as the ongoing season for the Saint Lucia Kings.

“Ravi Rampaul is a highly experienced bowler”

“Ravi Rampaul is a highly experienced bowler who performed well in the last CG Insurance Super50 Cup and the current Hero CPL to date. He will boost the team’s wicket-taking options in the powerplay and the middle phase and will provide another option for the death overs,” said lead selector Roger Harper in a media release.

“Roston Chase has shown that he is a very capable T20 player. He performed well in the CPL in 2020 and has been outstanding in the 2021 edition so far. Has shown the ability to knit the innings together while still scoring at a fast rate with a low dot-ball percentage. He will be an excellent foil for the explosive players in the team,” he added.

However, the selectors have taken a controversial decision by deciding to not select Sunil Narine with Jason Holder only part of the reserves. Narine has been in fantastic form during the ongoing edition of CPL, recently bowling a maiden over to Andre Russell. This makes leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr the only specialist spinner in the setup, with Fabian Allen and Chase providing quality support. Holder has showcased an ability to smash the ball to all corners of the ground freely as well as bowl impactful overs, which makes his non-selection in the main team a surprise. The all-rounder can very well emerge as a game-changer on his day.

“Many world-beating players who, once knitted into a world-beating team, will be extremely difficult to beat”

However, Dwayne Bravo who came out of T20I retirement in December 2019, reunites with skipper Kieron Pollard as the team looks to seal another title. Harper backed the players to successfully defend their title.

“The squad is one with good depth and strength in all departments. There is tremendous T20 experience along with World Cup-winning experience which should stand the team in good stead. This squad is made up of many world-beating players who, once knitted into a world-beating team, will be extremely difficult to beat. I expect the team to do very well and with the rub of the green I think the team has a good chance of defending the title,” he stated.

Squad: Kieron Pollard (capt), Nicholas Pooran (vice-capt), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Reserves: Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Darren Bravo.