West Indies' turbulent ride reaches pitstop of past glory

Long viewed as their most preferred format, West Indies have had a bumpy ride since the last T20 World Cup. They lost Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell to retirement and saw a captaincy switch to Shai Hope. The two-time champions have shown competitive signs, but a lot must go right to win a third title in the subcontinent.

The Squad

Shai Hope (c), Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Quentin Sampson

Twelve of the fifteen players were in the initial squad for the 2024 edition. Despite a torrid 2025, there is continuity and experience. Batter Quentin Sampson is the newcomer, dubbed by Hope as "one of the cleaner ball strikers I've seen in a long time."

The side is packed with six-hitters, but cohesion and adapting to sluggish surfaces remain a question. The bowling unit arguably lacks teeth, evidenced by South Africa chasing 222 in 17.3 overs in a warm-up. Jason Holder's stellar 2025 form must continue, and the lack of a wrist-spinner is notable.

The Road to the World Cup

West Indies have won only 14 of 43 T20Is since the last World Cup, making their ICC ranking of seven seem generous. Success against top teams has been scarce, including a series loss to Nepal (with several first-choice players missing). A 3-0 sweep of Bangladesh in October offers hope for subcontinent conditions.

Last five T20Is: L-W-L-L-W

West Indies have the worst dot ball percentage (42.5%) among full-member teams this cycle. A "six or bust" strategy won't suffice; balancing strike rotation with big hits, especially against spin, is crucial. Their numbers against spin are poor: an average of 18.71 and strike-rate of 126.71—the worst among participants.

Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford are in good form but inconsistent, mirroring the team's struggles. The bowling may be tidy but lacks thrill.

Key Match-Winners

Sherfane Rutherford hit peak form at the right time, smashing 26 sixes in the SA20. He carried that into the South Africa series with an unbeaten 24-ball 57. Adept against spin and pace, his six-hitting could swing games from the middle order.

Romario Shepherd has enhanced his reputation over the last year. No boundary is safe from his power-hitting, and he has grown as a bowler with a knack for breaking partnerships. In the post-Russell era, Shepherd could carry West Indies' hopes.

Group Stage Fixtures & Challenges

West Indies play at venues with fond memories: Wankhede Stadium and Eden Gardens, where they won the 2016 semifinal and final.

Any fixture could be tricky for this mercurial team. They were hammered by Scotland in 2022, and scars from a 2-1 defeat to Nepal in September could resurface, especially against Nepal's spinners.

Tournament Expectations

West Indies have a dream run in subcontinent T20 World Cups but lack the OGs from past wins. After a group stage exit in 2022 and narrowly missing the semifinals in 2024, they aim to cross that hurdle this time. Overcoming giants like India, Australia, and South Africa in the Super Eights seems a tall order, but West Indies can spring surprises. A Super Eight finish is the minimum goal; anything further would mark a solid campaign.