CWI names West Indies squad for T20 World Cup 2026, rewarding rising star with 3 T20Is

Cricket West Indies have announced their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to start from February 15. The Caribbean side named hard-hitting batter Quentin Sampson in their 15-member squad, who made his T20I debut in the recent series against Afghanistan in Dubai. While he scored just 35 runs in three innings, selectors have backed him for the promise he showed during the latest Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season.

Quentin Sampson's T20I debut

Sampson was the third-highest run-scorer for Guyana Amazon Warriors, racking up 241 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 151.57. His CPL form earned him his first international call-up for the Afghanistan series, where several first-choice players, including captain Shai Hope, were unavailable due to commitments in the SA20 league. Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford, who also missed that series, return to the squad.

Former captains made a comeback

Former captains Jason Holder and Rovman Powell, along with Romario Shepherd, are also back after being rested for the Afghanistan tour.

West Indies bowling line-up for T20 World Cup 2026

Fast-bowling sensation Shamar Joseph is another notable inclusion. The 26-year-old played only two matches against Afghanistan and had a stop-start second half of 2025. He missed the India tour due to injury and sat out the ODI series against Bangladesh after shoulder discomfort in training. Before the Afghanistan series, Joseph had played just five of Guyana Amazon Warriors’ 12 CPL matches.

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Joseph will lead the pace attack alongside Holder, Matthew Forde, and Jayden Seales, while Akeal Hosein heads the spin department, supported by Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie.

The squad has plenty of T20 experience, with 11 players from the last World Cup returning. Left-handed opener Evin Lewis and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph miss out due to recent injury struggles.

West Indies Group and schedule

Two-time World Cup winners West Indies are in Group C alongside England, Scotland, Nepal, and Italy. They will start their campaign on February 7 against Scotland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Notably, the West Indies won their last World Cup at the same venue.

West Indies squad

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.