Chris Gayle and Andre Russell considered by WICB for T20 World Cup selection

Reports suggest that explosive opening batsman Chris Gayle and West Indian star all-rounder Andre Russell are likely to be included in the 15 man West Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to be played in March will be played in India.

Although most media agencies around the world speculate the inclusion of the Jamaican pair for the tournament, it is highly likely that they will be included in the squad for the tournament from March 8 to April 3 tournament.

Despite being banned from bowling in the international circuit, Sunil Narine also has emerged as a contender for selection. Narine however will have to undergo a bowling test first at Loughborough University in England. The WICB will release the 15 man squad list later this month.

The spotlight however, will be on Chris Gayle following his exploits in the recently concluded Big Bash League in Australia. Gayle who announced himself in the T20 arena in the inaugural edition in 2007 with a whirlwind century against South Africa has become a valuable commodity in the shortest format of the game.

Fellow Jamaican all-rounder Andre Russell may well be the missing piece in the jigsaw for the Windies. A genuine all-rounder, Russell will definitely add the much-needed balance to the West Indian side as they look to pick up the much needed and sought after silverware they first won in 2012 in Colombo.

Russell has been particularly impressive in the T20 format following his exploits in various domestic leagues across the globe. His performance in the BBL for the Sydney thunder saw him finish with 186 runs and 16 wickets, thus making a strong case for selection.

34-year-old left-arm spinner Suliemann Benn is also in the fray while 2012 winning captain Darren Sammy has been re-appointed as the skipper for the 2016 edition.