West Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran is hoping that his side can challenge India’s match-winners in the upcoming series where they will play three ODIs and five T20Is, beginning on July 22 as well. The West Indies side will enter the ODI series on the back of a 3-0 defeat against Bangladesh at home. They also faced 3-0 whitewashes against Pakistan and India earlier this year as well.

Pooran, who was appointed West Indies captain in limited-overs formats after the retirement of Kieron Pollard in May, told the Times Of India: “They have millions of players who can come and do that role. They have match-winners with bat and ball and we can come out and challenge them here and Florida, it will send a message across the cricket world. And it will be fabulous for us as a group as well.”

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However, West Indies have named a 13-member squad for the three-match ODI series, which features the return of experienced all-rounder Jason Holder. While addressing the media, Nicholas Pooran said: “We are trying to find out the right mindset for ODI cricket. Once we get that, we will be fine, but now it’s about forming a template for each format. We are looking forward to the series and our aim is to be competitive and play exciting cricket. We will look to put our best foot forward.”

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However, while claiming that the two-match T20I series against Australia in October will be helpful for them, Nicholas Pooran said: “We put ourselves in that position as a team, but that is okay, it happens. We were in a rebellion phase and now we have to start over. It’s a blessing in disguise that we will have to play the qualifiers. We have a series there and then the qualifiers will give us enough time to acclimatize ourselves to the conditions Down Under. I am enjoying my role and I am doing some bowling too. The guys are supporting me 100% and we can do wonderful things.”