West Indies head coach Daren Sammy says his team is fully focused on winning the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Jayden Seales and Akeal Hosein have been selected for the team, but opener Evin Lewis was omitted from the 15-member squad.
Sammy, who led the West Indies to T20 World Cup glory in 2012 and 2016, said his current team compares favourably to the 2016 team that won the title in India.
He said there are several similarities to the lack of hype around the current team.
“I’m pretty sure nobody gives us a chance, and it was the same in 2016. We have our quiet confidence,” Sammy said, “Watching the guys, you know, there’s an energy. This is telling me something special is about to happen.”
Sammy said that the players understand the significance of the tournament, and their mindset is firmly about competing for the title.
“Watching practice, I think they understand how important this World Cup is, not only for them but the people of the Caribbean as well,” Sammy said.
Quentin Sampson was the only surprise selection, and Sammy explained that his choice was made on the Guyana’s all-rounder’s ability to take on the spinners.
“He has the ability to challenge the spin, like he did in the CPL. Akeem Auguste played a couple of roles like this for us against Bangladesh, but he is injured,” said Sammy.
The West Indies coach has also placed Jayden Seales as the spearhead of the bowling unit.
“Jayden you know has come on in T20, and his role is to try and get wicket for us in the power play with his line and length and control,” said Sammy.
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.
“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,” Hope added.
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.
The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup runs from 7 February to 8 March in India and Sri Lanka
West Indies open their campaign against Scotland on 7 February at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and were drawn in Group C with Scotland, England, Nepal and Italy.
Jason Holder, and Johnson Charles the only members of the team remaining from their 2016 triumph.
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
