Kraigg Brathwaite Steps Down as West Indies Test Captain – Who’s Next?
Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as West Indies Test captain, with Shai Hope taking over white-ball leadership. The Test captaincy remains undecided, with Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph emerging as potential candidates. Who will lead the team next?
Brathwaite Resigns
Kraigg Brathwaite has officially resigned as the West Indies Test captain. This comes before the team's home series against Australia, bringing to an end a leadership tenure during which there have been numerous historic milestones for the West Indies. Brathwaite, just shy of his 100th Test match, will now be concentrating on batting only.
Historic Achievements Under Brathwaite
Brathwaite's captaincy tenure, which started in March 2021, was dominated by huge successes. In his captaincy tenure, the West Indies won their first Test in Australia after 27 years and their first series victory in Pakistan in 34 years. The team also won a series against England and Bangladesh.
Shai Hope Assumes White-Ball Leadership
Shai Hope has been upgraded to captain of the West Indies' white-ball formats. He takes over for Rovman Powell, who had captained the T20I team since May 2023 and oversaw the side to key series victories against India, England, and South Africa. Powell's captaincy was instrumental in the team's climb to 5th in the ICC T20I rankings.
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Who Will Become the New Test Captain?
The West Indies Cricket Board has not yet appointed a new Test captain. Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph are reportedly the favorites for the job, both with very different leadership abilities. Roach is experienced, while Joseph will bring youth into the role.
Looking Ahead
The West Indies' series against Australia will be the start of a new era with a new captain. The leadership changes are viewed as a means of giving stability and direction to the team, especially with the T20 World Cup 2026 and the new ICC World Test Championship cycle beginning.
Brathwaite's exit marks the conclusion of a landmark leadership era for the West Indies, yet with Shai Hope assuming white-ball leadership and a new Test captain to be appointed, the team is set for the future. The coming weeks will be instrumental in defining the team's leadership in the years to come.
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