There have been several notable changes since the West Indies co-hosted the previous T20 World Cup in 2024. Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell, two of the biggest names in West Indian cricket, have since retired from international cricket. Despite their absence, the squad still has significant experience, with Jason Holder and Johnson Charles forming the backbone of the squad. Holder has featured in 86 T20 Internationals, while the upcoming tournament marks Charles’ fifth T20 World Cup appearance for the West Indies.
Charles and current head coach Daren Sammy were part of the West Indies’ historic title-winning campaign in India in 2016. Holder was also part of that squad, although he did not play a match during the tournament. Overall, aside from the retirements of Pooran and Russell, the 2026 squad bears a strong resemblance to the team that entered the competition two years ago.
The only surprise inclusion is Sampson, who made his T20I debut in the recent series against Afghanistan. Although he scored just 35 runs in three innings during that series, his selection was largely influenced by an impressive 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign with the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Making his T20 debut in that tournament, the 25-year-old scored 241 runs at a strike rate of 151.57, helping GAW finish second.
West Indies go into the South Africa series on the back of a 2-1 T20I series loss to Afghanistan. Several regulars, including Captain Yes HopeRoston Chase, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford were unavailable for that series due to SA20 commitments. After the opener in Paarl, the series moves to Centurion and Johannesburg, with the remaining two matches taking place on January 29 and 31 respectively.
Seven days after the conclusion of the South Africa series, West Indies begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. They will face Scotland in their opening group match in Kolkata on the opening day of the tournament, followed by clashes against England (February 11), Nepal (February 15) and Italy (February 19).
West Indies squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and T20Is vs SA
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
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