ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: West Indies Team Preview, Squad, Key Players and Probable Playing XI

The defending champions West Indies once again enter the fray as one of the favorites. The only team in Men’s T20 World Cup history to win the title twice, the Caribbean juggernaut is perennially a force to reckon with in the shorter format, but they will have their set of challenges pulling them away from […]
 
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ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: West Indies Team Preview, Squad, Key Players and Probable Playing XI

The defending champions West Indies once again enter the fray as one of the favorites. The only team in Men’s T20 World Cup history to win the title twice, the Caribbean juggernaut is perennially a force to reckon with in the shorter format, but they will have their set of challenges pulling them away from glory.

Form is a factor that will concern the hierarchy of this team, with vice-captain Nicholas Pooran, all-rounders Andre Russell and Fabian Allen not being in the best of touch. Some of their players are not well-versed in excelling in slower conditions, which will be another factor to ponder upon.

Questions marks loom large around the side, and their ability to go all the way, just the way it happened in the last three editions. However, the sheer firepower in their squad backed the number of T20 superstars capable of winning games by themselves, makes the 2012 and 2016 champions a worthy contender once again.

Captain: Kieron Pollard

Head Coach: Phil Simmons

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: West Indies Team Preview, Squad, Key Players and Probable Playing XI

Claim to Fame

West Indies are the most successful team in Men’s T20 World Cup history, winning the championship two times under Darren Sammy’s leadership in 2012 and 2016. In 2012, they defeated Sri Lanka in the final and in a dramatic finale in Kolkata, they were crowned champions after the final against England in 2016.

West Indies Squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2021

 Kieron Pollard (C), Nicholas Pooran (VC & wk), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher (wk), Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr

Reserves: Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Darren Bravo

Strengths

This is a team filled with players who are well-versed with the format, and play T20 leagues across the globe to get themselves ready for a stage like this. It is no coincidence that they won a World Cup in this format twice, and looking at the firepower they have, one cannot deny them and their experience the favorites tag.

Weaknesses

They do lack a solid bowler in the death overs, besides Dwayne Bravo. Bravo’s form in recent months has remained shaky, but his performance in the IPL will give the Caribbean fans some confidence. However, a lot of their bowlers are prone to conceding runs heavily, and not having Sunil Narine in the squad or reserves might prove costly for the side.

Key West Indies Players

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: West Indies Team Preview, Squad, Key Players and Probable Playing XI

Bravo picked up 14 wickets in 11 IPL games this season and emerged victorious with CSK.

Shimron Hetmyer: The only player in the current lineup coming into this tournament with great form is Shimron Hetmyer. Although he scored less than 300 runs in the IPL, a lot of those runs proved to be quite clutch for the Delhi Capitals in a finisher’s role. He will be a pivotal presence in their middle order this edition.

Dwayne Bravo: The onus of their bowling attack falls heavily in the hands of Dwayne Bravo, especially their death bowling. Bravo has managed to produce some good spells coming in as a death overs specialist for the Chennai Super Kings, and is the second most-capped player in the format (507 matches), the one beating him to it is his skipper Kieron Pollard (568).

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Roston Chase: One of the most impressive players in the Caribbean Premier League, Roston Chase will be absolutely vital if West Indies are to find success in the UAE. His off-breaks can prove to be tricky for a lot of batters, and having finished as the highest run-scorer in the CPL (446 runs at an average of 49.56), he also provides great assurance to the side with the bat.

Probable West Indies Playing XI for T20 World Cup 2021

Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard (C), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Obey McCoy, Hayden Walsh