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Ashwin Slams West Indies for Dropping Pooran & Narine from T20 World Cup

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed strong disappointment over the West Indies' decision to exclude star players Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine from their T20 World Cup 2026 squad. He urged the board to engage directly with the players to bring them back for the tournament. Ashwin, a self-proclaimed fan of West Indies cricket, also criticized the team's planning and infrastructure despite acknowledging their high potential. The two-time champions enter the tournament with a poor recent record, having won only 14 of their last 43 T20 matches.

Key Points: Ashwin Disappointed by West Indies' T20 World Cup Squad

  • Ashwin criticizes squad exclusion
  • Calls for board to talk to players
  • Questions West Indies' planning
  • Notes team's recent poor record
2 min read

Disappointed: Ashwin on exclusion of Pooran and Narine from T20 World Cup

Ravichandran Ashwin criticizes West Indies for excluding Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine from their T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

"How can you leave Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine from your country and go into a World Cup without them? - Ravichandran Ashwin"

New Delhi, February 4

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin expressedfhis disappointment after the West Indies excluded Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine in their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

"I am very disappointed that the West Indies not pick Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine in their squad for this World Cup. You need to sit across the table from them, talk to them, and bring them to the World Cup. How can you leave Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine from your country and go into a World Cup without them?" Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin said he is a big fan of the West Indies cricket team. The former Indian cricketer added that the board needs to re-examine their plan for World Cups.

"I am a big fan of the West Indies. They have a lot of ability. But the way they plan and sometimes even the infrastructure in the West Indies leaves me with my mouth open. I think West Indies cricket has a high ceiling and high potential, but they really need to re-look at the way they approach and plan for World Cups," he said.

The two-time champions have dropped more matches than they have won since the Super Eight exit in the last edition back in 2024, but head into the new edition with plenty of positives, especially the evolution of their skipper, Shai Hope, as a well-rounded T20 batter.

The Windies often displayed glimpses of that fighting spirit and ferocious hitting which had once made them a dominant force in the shortest format of the game, though they often lost matches by narrow margins.

Since the 2024 T20 World Cup, the West Indies have won just 14 of 43 matches, losing 27 and two ending in no result.

The two-time champions are in Group C with defending champions India, Nepal, Scotland, and Italy and will start their campaign against Scotland on February 7 in Kolkata.

West Indies T20 World Cup squad:

Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, it's sad to see. The Windies are so much more exciting with these players. The World Cup loses some of its star power without them. Hope they sort out their differences soon.
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Aditya G
Honestly, maybe it's time to look forward. They have a young squad with Shai Hope leading. Constant reliance on a few stars hasn't worked for them. This could be a fresh start. But Ashwin bhai's point about planning is valid – their cricket board seems chaotic.
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Priya S
Sunil Narine not playing in India? That's like serving biryani without the raita! He's a legend in the IPL. The Windies management needs to get their act together. Feel for the fans in the Caribbean.
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Michael C
Respectfully, while Ashwin's love for Windies cricket is great, is it really our place to comment on another board's selection? Every team has its internal dynamics and contract issues we may not know about.
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Kavya N
Their loss is our gain, I suppose. Makes India's path in Group C slightly easier, though I always enjoy a tough contest. Still, cricket is poorer when the best players aren't on the world stage. Come on, CWI, sort it out!

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