West Indies allrounder Andre Russell out of India T20s

Jason Mohammad replaces the 31-year-old, who suffered from a knee injury before withdrawing from the World Cup earlier this summer

Andre Russell has withdrawn from the West Indies squad for the T20 series against India due to injury.

Though the nature of the injury has not been confirmed, the 31-year-old was forced out of the World Cup earlier this summer with a knee problem.

He "experienced some discomfort" while playing in the Canada GT20 for the Vancouver Knights against Toronto Nationals during which he did not bowl or bat. Russell did field, however, taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen during his side's eight-wicket win.

Mohammad, 32, has previously played nine T20 internationals, averaging 18 with the bat. The Windies, the World T20 holders, face India in three matches the first two of which will be played in Lauderhill, Florida.

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"He is a player with lots of experience in all three formats and – having done well for Trinidad & Tobago as well as Guyana Amazon Warriors," said Floyd Reifer, West Indies interim head coach.

"It is not easy to the fill the shoes of someone like Andre Russell, who has dominated T20 cricket all over the world and helped West Indies win the ICC T20 World Cup on two occasions. 

"We believe Jason is capable of good performances and we back him to perform at this level and win games as well."