ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the 15-member squad to compete in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup being played in India and Sri Lanka from February 6 to March 9.
The selection follows an extensive assessment period and is aimed at assembling a group capable of competing consistently at the highest level, while adapting to the unique demands of subcontinental conditions.
Head Coach Daren Sammy, who captained the region to its most recent triumphs in 2012 and 2016, said the squad reflects careful planning and a clear understanding of what will be required to succeed at the global event.
“We have selected a squad with balance, extensive experience, and a touch of mystery. We’ve got X-factor where it counts, hungry newcomers pushing the seasoned heads, and a group ready to fight to make the region proud.”
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“We’ve thought long and hard about what it takes to win in India and Sri Lanka, and we’ve come up with the best team to help us achieve that goal, and I firmly believe we will”, he added.
Gudakesh Motie returns to the squad with renewed confidence after completing a development stint in South Africa in the lead up to and during the SA20.
Johnson Charles has been selected as the squad’s backup wicketkeeper, with selectors noting that with the available player pool, his international experience and proven powerplay capability also provide valuable opening cover. Quentin Sampson has also been included as a middle-order option.
Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph continues his return-to-play process after injury. While he has made significant progress, he has not yet been cleared for high-intensity competition and will continue to work closely with CWI’s medical and performance teams.
Captain Shai Hope spoke on the opportunity to represent the region on the world stage and expressed confidence in the group looking to make a deep run in the tournament.
“World Cups are special, and as a player you want to play on the biggest stages possible”, he said.
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“This is an experienced group of players, and we are no strangers to playing in these conditions. We’ve got plenty of power and skill in the batting and quality bowlers who can adapt to conditions on any given day to help us compete and win matches consistently.”
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The squad has assembled in South Africa for the three match T20I series against the Proteas from January 27-31, which will serve as their final preparation before the opening fixtures of the T20 World Cup. West Indies Squad for the ICC T20 World Cup Shai Hope (Captain) Johnson Charles Roston Chase Matthew Forde Shimron Hetmyer Jason Holder Akeal Hosein Shamar Joseph Brandon King Gudakesh Motie Rovman Powell Sherfane Rutherford Quentin Sampson Jayden Seales Romario Shepherd Team Management Unit Rawl Lewis – Team Manager Daren Sammy – Head Coach Floyd Reifer – Assistant Coach (Batting) Ravi Rampaul – Assistant Coach (Bowling) Rayon Griffith – Assistant Coach (Fielding) Dr Denis Byam – Physiotherapist Darc Browne – Strength & Conditioning Coach Fitzbert Alleyne – Massage Therapist Dr. Akshai Mansingh – Team Doctor Avenesh Seetaram – Performance Analyst Jerome Foster – Content & Media Officer |
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roston chase, roman Powell, Mathew Forde, Quinten Sampson, Jayden seals NOPE!
Oh I see, what performance? You do not pick Alick Athanas because on this squad are players fat superior to Alick. We’ve been thru this since the days of the overlooked Shillingfords, Sebo etc.
In the current West Indies t20i players do you know who is the one and only player with an average of 30 or more and a SR of 120 plus, and besides, a wicket keeper? Amir Anthony Jangoo age 28. But guess why he is not on the team instead of of the 37 year old Johnson Charles, whose average is only 22? Well, Charles is from St Lucia as Darren Sammy while Jango is unfortunately from Trinidad, the same island with Darren Bravo and Nicholas Pooran.
So for me to listen to Sammy’s nonsense about why Charles was picked to me is same as listening to the lies of Skerrit. I know some will say that Jangoo has only played 7 t20i’s but what about Sampson who has only played 3, with scores of 3,2 and 30?
I for sure will not support anything Sammy leads just as I will not support anything Skerrit leads for they are 2 of a kind
Because they are ours we have to accept all the foolishness they do?None of them man averaging 30 in T20,good on surface in what,they misfielding their teeth outside,they dropping catches their teeth outside.They getting out foolishly they playing like their bat rotten.West Indies playing for either a lose or draw,all of them need a bath with pois gwaty in the Roseau river mouth.
Not a bad team on surface; however, I would have ditched Charles in favor of Kyle Mayers and given Jomel Warrican a spot instead of the spent Gudakesh Motie.
Wishing them every success. I will celebrate with them. After all they are ours. Not sure if they understand and appreciate the history of what “West Indies Cricket” mean to us in the West Indies. But I will not lose any more sleep on a team that has “perfected the art of losing”.