West Indies announces strong 15-man squad for T20 WC 2026; Shai Hope named captain

On Monday, January 26, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced a strong 15-man squad for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, scheduled to start in India and Sri Lanka from Saturday, February 7.

Keeper-batter Shai Hope will lead the two-time champions. Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, and Romario Shepherd have been recalled after being rested for the recent T20I series against Afghanistan. 

Moreover, the hard-hitting batter Quentin Sampson has also been named in the squad. Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford, who were also absent from the recent Afghanistan series, return to the squad. 

Another notable inclusion is pacer Shamar Joseph, who featured in two matches against Afghanistan but missed the tour of India through injury. Holder, Joseph, Matthew Forde, and Jayden Seales will form the pace battery while the spin department will be led by Akeal Hosein, with Chase and Gudakesh Motie providing support. Left-handed opener Evin Lewis and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph have been axed from the squad.

The Caribbean side was dealt a 2-1 loss at the hands of Afghanistan in the recent three-match T20I series. They will next take on South Africa in a three-match T20I series in South Africa before the showpiece event.

The West Indies are placed in Group C alongside England, Scotland, Nepal, and Italy. They will begin their campaign on February 7 against Scotland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

West Indies squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Quentin Sampson, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde.

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