Is Kamil Pooran related to Nicholas Pooran? West Indies opener makes T20I debut against India

No, Kamil Pooran is not related to Nicholas Pooran. The two Trinidadian cricketers share a surname, but they are not brothers or otherwise known to be family. Kamil made his West Indies debut in the first T20 international against India in Lucknow on October 6, 2026, after his performances for Saint Lucia Kings earned him a maiden national-team call-up.

The distinction matters because Nicholas is already a familiar name to West Indies fans. A former white-ball captain and left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, he retired from international cricket in 2025. Kamil is a right-handed opening batter beginning his international career. Nicholas was not part of the squad for the India series.

Who is Kamil Pooran?

Kamil Pooran is a 30-year-old batter from Trinidad who had played regional cricket before attracting wider attention in the 2026 Caribbean Premier League. He made his first-class debut for Trinidad and Tobago in 2023 and has also represented Combined Campuses and Colleges. His route to the West Indies side was gradual rather than an immediate leap from youth cricket to the international stage.

In the 2025 West Indies Breakout League, he scored 126 runs in five innings for Trinidad and Tobago Legions, including a top score of 73. His subsequent CPL campaign provided the stronger case for selection. Playing for Saint Lucia Kings in 2026, Pooran scored 273 runs in eight innings, averaged 39 and struck at approximately 160 runs per 100 balls. His highest score was 81 not out, and he made two half-centuries.

Cricket West Indies identified him as an opening batter when it announced the India tour squad. The governing body said his selection formed part of its effort to develop emerging players ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup.

What did Pooran say about his call-up?

Before the series opener, Pooran described being stunned when he learned he had been selected. Speaking to Cricket West Indies, he said he had put years of work into his game and felt that the opportunity showed that “hard work pays off.” He also recalled being surprised when he first secured a CPL place, then committing himself fully to making the most of it.

Pooran has identified the square cut and cover drive as favorite shots. Those preferences fit his role near the top of the order, although his CPL record—not a similarity to Nicholas Pooran—was what brought him into the national selection conversation.

How are Kamil and Nicholas Pooran different as players?

Beyond the shared surname and Trinidadian background, their careers have followed different paths. Kamil bats right-handed and was selected as an opener. Nicholas bats left-handed, keeps wicket and established himself as one of West Indies’ best-known limited-overs players. He finished his international career with 2,275 T20I runs, a West Indies record at the time of his retirement announcement.

The India series marks Kamil’s chance to build his own record. His inclusion in the playing XI for the October 6 opener turned a first squad call-up into an international debut; it did not signal a return to the West Indies team for Nicholas.