West Indies vs India 2023

'Windies me yo-yo test nhi hota kya' - Fans react as Rahkeem Cornwall returns to West Indies squad for Test series against India

All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall returned as West Indies announced a 13-member squad for the first Test against India.

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Rahkeem Cornwall

Rahkeem Cornwall (Source: Twitter)

Rahkeem Cornwall Rahkeem Cornwall (Source: Twitter)

Rahkeem Cornwall is set to return to the national team after the Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel included him in the 13-man squad for the opening Test against India. Apart from Cornwall, left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican also makes a comeback, while two uncapped batters - Alick Athanaze and Kirk McKenzie have earned maiden call-ups to the Test squad.

Spin-bowling all-rounder Cornwall last played a Test match in November 2021. The 30-year-old, who made his Test debut against India in 2019, has taken 34 wickets in nine matches so far. It is understood that first-choice spinner Gudakesh Motie's injury paved the way for Cornwall's comeback. Warrican, on the other hand, will return to the squad after being left out of the South Africa tour earlier this year.

“We are without Motie, who is doing his rehabilitation, and this has created an opportunity for Warrican and Cornwall in the spin bowling department. They have both played at Test match level before and are capable of doing the job," said the chief selector Desmond Haynes.

Impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze: Desmond Haynes

Meanwhile, left-handed batters McKenzie and Athanaze's selection was based on their impressive performances for West Indies A during their recent series against Bangladesh A.

“We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A’ Team tour of Bangladesh. These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity," added Haynes.

The Craig Brathwaite-led side will aim to bounce back from their heartbreaking exit from the ODI World Cup Qualifiers. The two-match Test series will also mark the beginning of the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) for both teams.

West Indies squad for 1st Test against India: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kirk McKenzie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.

Traveling Reserves: Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan.

Here's how fans reacted to Rahkeem Cornwall's selection for the first Test against India:

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