Gayle snubbed by WICB for India series

St John's, Antigua and Barbuda: Former skipper Chris Gayle has been left out of the West Indies squad to face India in the Twenty20 clash and two opening one-dayers in a continuing stand-off with selectors. Players to watch out for | Gayle in numbers | WI squads

St John's, Antigua and Barbuda: Former skipper Chris Gayle has been left out of the West Indies squad to face India in the Twenty20 clash and two opening one-dayers in a continuing stand-off with selectors.

HT Image

Gayle remains out of favour with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) after he was dropped for the recent home series against Pakistan, a decision which left him free to play in the entire IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Despite Gayle finishing the tournament as the leading run-getter, the WICB said in a statement that the big-hitting batsman will not be recalled until he explains comments he gave in a radio interview in which he lambasted selectors.

"Chris Gayle will not be considered for selection to the West Indies team before an intended meeting with himself, the selection committee, the WICB management and the West Indies team management," a WICB statement said.

"The selection committee views this meeting as necessary as a result of Gayle's comments in a widely publicised radio interview in Jamaica."

All-rounder Kieron Pollard has been recalled for the first two ODIs, while fast bowler Kemar Roach has been rested.

Uncapped Jamaican left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie is the only change in the T20 squad which defeated Pakistan in St Lucia in April.

Pollard and Dwayne Bravo were not included in the Twenty20 squad having not played in the recent Caribbean Twenty20 tournament.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor has again been overlooked with selectors insisting he must play a full season of regional cricket to prove his fitness.

"Jerome Taylor is required to play a full season of regional cricket in order to prove his fitness to compete adequately at the international level before being considered for selection," the WICB stated.

Taylor, like Gayle, had accused the WICB of leaving him in a lurch during injury problems.

West Indies and India will play five ODIs as well as three Tests.

Players to watch out for | Gayle in numbers | WI squads