Related to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, a few teams will be in the competition as favourites when the event opens in February. History tells us, however, that the most dangerous sides are usually those that are not favored on the early side. The West Indies cricket team is one of such teams.
West Indies has already demonstrated on numerous occasions that reputation does not hold much weight in the T20 format of cricket. They are the sole team that won the men T20 world cup twice and both times they were perceived to be unlikely to win the world cup. Their greatest weapon is still that ability to perform at the highest level in major competitions.
Knowledge of the conditions in India.
The world cup 2026 will be hosted in India and Sri Lanka where the West Indies players are not new at all. A number of the team members have had years of experience with franchise cricket in the IPL and in other Asian leagues. This experience shortens the adjustment time that bothers a foreign team.
West Indies should play under controllable aggression and not wild whacking under the control of Shai Hope. The team has batters such as Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, and Sherfane Rutherford who provide the team with flexibility depending on the situation of the match.
Bowling fitted to the slow tones.
This team is more diverse as opposed to the previous teams of the West Indies which relied largely on speed. The left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein has been a fine middle-overs choice, particularly when conditions are slow. Support also comes in the form of Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase as well as with the quicks such as Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph to bring pace where the conditions are suitable.
This equilibrium would be vital in Indian establishments where sheer velocity will rarely work.
The risk factors
The squad, however, is not faultless. Injuries have also lessened depth and most importantly the absence of Alzarri Joseph whose pace and wicket taking capability is difficult to substitute. The experience in difficult situations has also been taken away by retirement of the senior names such as Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell.
The other challenge is consistency. The West Indies have demonstrated bright spots but have not been able to sustain the performance level in whole series as is the case with the current T20I outcomes.
Group-stage outlook
West Indies will play in Group C where the flexibility will be more important than the reputation. Their timetable exposes them to both favorable and slower tracks, and they may be challenged in regard to their balance.
Group-stage matches:
vs Scotland February 7 (Kolkata)
vs England – February 11 (Mumbai)
vs Nepal – February 15 (Mumbai)
vs Italy – February 19 (Kolkata)
Squad snapshot
Shai Hope (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Ford, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quinton Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
