Shai Hope named captain as West Indies announces squad for T20 World Cup 2026

West Indies have unveiled a strong and experienced 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, placing their faith in Shai Hope to lead the two-time champions in the global showpiece to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

The squad reflects a clear shift from the second-string side that recently featured in the T20I series against Afghanistan in the UAE. Several senior players return to bolster the core, giving the side a far more settled and battle-hardened look. Big hitters Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford headline a powerful batting group, while Hope’s own form has been encouraging after scoring a century in the SA20 for Pretoria Capitals.

All-round depth boosts Windies, but bowling depth and consistency remain key concerns

West Indies appear well-stocked in all-round options, with Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, and Matthew Forde offering balance with both bat and ball. The bowling attack combines experience and raw pace, led by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and exciting quick Shamar Joseph, with support from Jayden Seales and Gudakesh Motie. However, questions remain over bowling depth, and the Caribbean side may need their attack to punch above its weight against stronger batting line-ups.

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Veteran opener Evin Lewis misses out after a disappointing return against Afghanistan, while only a handful of players from that series - such as Johnson Charles and Brandon King, retain their places. Overall, the squad leans heavily on players who have proven themselves across franchise leagues worldwide, underlining West Indies’ continued reliance on T20 specialists.

Drawn in Group C alongside England, Scotland, Nepal, and Italy, West Indies begin their campaign against Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, before a crucial clash with England in Mumbai. With the top two teams advancing, consistency will be key as the Windies chase a third T20 World Cup title.

West Indies Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

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.