The West Indies have added wicketkeeper-batter Amit Jangoo to their squad for the T20I series against India as cover for Jewel Andrew, who suffered a finger injury during the third ODI in New Chandigarh.
Cricket West Indies confirmed that Jangoo, 29, has been drafted in specifically as cover for the wicketkeeping position while Andrew continues to be monitored and assessed by the team’s medical staff. Andrew has not yet been ruled out of the series.
How Jewel Andrew suffered the injury
Jewel Andrew hurt his finger on the final delivery of the 36th over of India’s innings in the third ODI at the New PCA Stadium on October 3. Batting all-rounder Naman Dhir chipped a delivery from left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie towards cover, where Andrew completed the catch but took a heavy blow to his finger in the process.
The young keeper immediately left the field and was taken to hospital for an X-ray. Subsequent scans revealed no fracture, but the West Indies medical team has kept him under observation as a precaution.
The injury had an immediate tactical impact. Andrew was unable to open the innings during the West Indies’ chase of 352, forcing captain Shai Hope to move up the order in place of John Campbell at the top. The visitors completed a successful chase without Andrew, with Hope’s reshuffled top order getting the job done.
The rapid rise of Jewel Andrew
Jewel Andrew’s absence would be a significant blow for a West Indies side in transition. The young wicketkeeper-batter has been one of the most exciting emerging talents in Caribbean cricket, with his accelerated rise to the international game earning him a reputation as a player ahead of schedule.
His elevation to the senior setup reflected the West Indies’ faith in his aggressive batting and developing glovework. An injury at this stage of his career is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change for young cricketers, and the team management will be cautious about rushing him back.
Breaking into the West Indies setup as a wicketkeeper-batter is no small feat given the competition for places, and Jewel Andrew had done enough in domestic and age-group cricket to force his way into the selectors’ plans. His temperament at the top of the order had already drawn praise during the ODI leg of the India tour, where he looked at home against a strong home attack.
Jangoo’s timely form while Jewel Andrew recovers
If Jewel Andrew cannot recover in time, Jangoo arrives in excellent touch. The 29-year-old enjoyed an impressive ODI series against India, scoring an unbeaten 58 in the first match, 114 in the second and 67 in the third to finish with 239 runs, behind only Shubman Gill and Shai Hope across both teams.
Jangoo has played seven T20Is for the West Indies since making his international debut in December 2024, scoring 163 runs at a strike rate of 120.74. His familiarity with Indian conditions from the ODI leg makes him a natural like-for-like option behind the stumps.
Attention now turns to the five-match T20I series, which gets underway in Lucknow. The West Indies will hope Jewel Andrew’s setback proves short-term rather than series-ending, with the medical team continuing to assess him daily and a final call on his participation expected closer to the opener.
Beyond the immediate series, Jangoo’s performances could carry longer-term significance. With the T20 World Cup cycle always forming the backdrop to bilateral cricket, every international appearance is an audition, and a strong showing against India would strengthen his case as the West Indies’ reserve wicketkeeper going forward.
The timing is awkward for the tourists. With the five-match T20I series in Lucknow days away and Andrew’s top-order role suddenly uncertain, the West Indies must prepare two plans: one with their young wicketkeeper-batter fit to open, and one with Jangoo — fresh from 239 ODI runs against the same opponents — stepping in. Hope’s reshuffled order chased 352 successfully in New Chandigarh, proof the squad can adapt, but losing Andrew’s aggressive starts would still blunt their powerplay plans.