The Caribbean boys just got their squad announcement today. West Indies Cricket dropped the news on Monday, January 26, 2026. Shai Hope will captain the team heading into the big tournament.
The West Indies squad for T20 World Cup 2026 looks completely different from recent matches. They basically rebuilt the entire team from scratch. Only a few players from the Afghanistan series made the cut here.
Hope takes charge of a team packed with franchise cricket stars. These guys play in leagues across the world regularly. The T20 World Cup 2026 starts on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
Big Changes in the Players List
CWI made some tough calls while picking this team. They kept only three batters from the recent Afghanistan series. Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, and Brandon King survived the axe.
The pace bowling unit stayed mostly the same though. Those bowlers performed decently against Afghanistan in the UAE. The board clearly trusts them to deliver in bigger games.
But here’s the shocker – Evin Lewis got dropped completely. The veteran opener had a horrible time against Afghanistan recently. He played just two matches and looked totally out of touch.
Experience Matters in This Players List
The West Indies squad focuses heavily on experienced campaigners. Almost everyone has played serious franchise T20 cricket somewhere. IPL, CPL, BBL – these players know those leagues inside out.
This experience could prove massive during pressure moments. The T20 World Cup 2026 demands players who handle big stages well. West Indies clearly picked guys who’ve been there and done that.
Remember, the Windies have won this trophy twice before. They lifted the T20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016. That winning DNA still exists in their cricket culture.
West Indies Updated Squad:
Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd
Tournament Challenge Ahead
West Indies lands in Group C for this edition. They’ll battle Scotland, England, Nepal, and Italy there. England will be the toughest nut to crack obviously.
Their campaign kicks off on February 7 at Eden Gardens. Scotland becomes their first opponent in Kolkata. That opening match could set the entire tone.
The team announcement shows serious intent from CWI. They want their third T20 World Cup trophy badly. Hope’s leadership will be tested from day one.
The Players list mixes youth with proven match-winners perfectly. Every player brings something special to the table. Caribbean fans have reasons to feel optimistic about their chances.
The T20 World Cup 2026 could see the Caribbean kings reclaim their throne. Their squad certainly has the firepower to make it happen. February can’t come soon enough for Windies cricket lovers.
