We can rise to Indian challenge - Merissa Aguilleira

June-Ogle Thomas, the allrounder from Guyana, is the only new face in West Indies' 14-member squad for their upcoming tour of India early next year. Wicketkeeper Merissa Aguilleira has been retained as captain of the squad that includes most of the players who were part of the West Indies team that won the inaugural ICC Women's Challenge Twenty20 tournament and finished runners-up in the 50-over format in South Africa in October.

West Indies will play five ODIs and three Twenty20 games against India and Aguilleira was hopeful that the team could build on their success in South Africa. "We need to show improvement from the tour in South Africa," Aguilleira said. "Our experienced players will be the ones to lead from the front, but in South Africa everyone made a contribution at some stage so we know we have a team with depth and strength."

West Indies enjoyed a great run in South Africa, and had strong individual performances from Stafani Taylor who finished as the tournament's top run-getter, while offspinner Anisa Mohammed, the vice-captain, was the second-highest wicket-taker.

India are rated above West Indies in the ICC rankings, but Aguilleira was confident her team would be able to handle the challenge. "It will be a challenging tour but we are confident we can do well against the Indian girls on their home soil.

"It will be the first time in India for many of us but we believe we can rise above the challenge. We want to continue from where we left off in South Africa where we played so very well."

West Indies arrive in Mumbai on January 3 and play the first ODI on January 10 in the same city.

West Indies women's squad: Merissa Aguilleira (Captain/Wicketkeeper), Anisa Mohammed, Shemaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Pearl Etienne, Stacy-Ann King, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, June Ogle-Thomas, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt, Stafanie Taylor