The West Indies cricket team cannot be taken lightly at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. West Indies, under the leadership of Roman Powell, look a serious side with plenty of power performers in the mix. This side has some serious talent, with the majority of players being celebrated T20 specialists across the globe. With the event to be held in the USA and the West Indies, it’s an extra boost for the Men in Maroon to come out and express themselves.

After missing out on the ICC World Cup 2023, there will be hunger and motivation in the camp to go out and play their brand of cricket. Despite missing some of their prized assets in the bilateral series against South Africa, the home team sealed the three-match series, which is a curtain-raiser ahead of the World Cup. West Indies won the first two T20Is convincingly and this will help them gain plenty of impetus and confidence.

Placed in Group C with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea, the Windies will hope to seal the Super 8 berth and then take it from there. West Indies have won the ICC T20 World Cup on two occasions and are the only side alongside England (2) to win multiple honors. They have also been two-time semi-finalists. With some top figures in the squad this time, one hopes the Windies will seize the opportunity.

Here, we analyze the Windies squad for the T20 World Cup.

A look at West Indies’ 15-member squad

Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

Andre Russell is West Indies’ trump card

Andre Russell can be West Indies’ match-winner in the coveted tournament. The big-hitting all-rounder has had an excellent IPL 2024 season with the Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring valuable runs and picking up regular wickets. Russell is a T20 legend with his all-round heroics. He owns 446 wickets at 25.30 in addition to scoring 8431 runs with the bat. Russell owns a total of 684 sixes and can demolish teams with ease. He has worked hard to be fit and the performances have followed.

Strengths of the West Indies cricket team

West Indies have plenty of hard-hitters and all-rounders, which makes them an interesting side. When we talk of serious batters who can cause carnage, Russell leads the pack. His strike rate of 169.80 in T20s is incredible. Russell can float around and come in as the situation demands. Then you have Nicholas Pooran, who had a defiant IPL 2024 season with Lucknow Super Giants. Pooran is another excellent figure in that middle order. The southpaw can take bowlers to the cleaners with his versatile shot-making.

In Brandon King, West Indies get a sturdy opener who can score runs in a flash. He impressed in both the T20Is versus South Africa. He can set the tone of the innings alongside Johnson Charles, who owns over 6500 T20 runs and is highly experienced at 35 years of age. Shai Hope is a classy figure and can be another top-order option. He was recently seen in the IPL. Hope can bat long and the others can revolve around him.

In Shimron Hetmyer, the West Indies get a quality finisher. He is another player who can be lethal. In the last four overs in T20s, Hetmyer’s strike rate is a staggering 197.01. This shows the kind of impact he can have. Roman Powell can leave a solid impact as well. He will hope to lead the side from the front. Another power-hitter, Powell adds to the lost of finishers alongside Russell and Hetmyer.

West Indies have several utility all-rounders in the form of Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder.

We all saw Shepherd’s big-hitting heroics for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede in IPL 2024. He owns over 1000 T20 runs, hitting 83 sixes in that tally. Shepherd also owns 127 T20 wickets at 24.26. Rutherford owns over 2100 T20 runs, having slammed 138 sixes. He can ball medium pace as well. Holder is the most experienced of this lot. The giant West Indian has claimed 244 T20 scalps, and he also owns over 2200 runs to highlight his case.

Then there is Roston Chase, who owns over 1300 T20 runs and 50-plus wickets. His right-arm off-break will be handy. He is also a valuable middle-order batter.

Coming to the bowling, Gudakesh Motie can be useful. The spinner has done well of late and will lead the Windies. He owns 46 T20 scalps at 22.17. Alongside Chase, the two can handle the spin show. Then there is Akeal Hosein, who brings quality with his left-arm spin. He owns 136 wickets in T20s. So the spin department of Windies has its merits.

Weaknesses of the West Indies cricket team

West Indies’ key all-round players solve many issues on the side. So, the balance is always going to be there with like-for-like replacements. It will zero down on the right personnel and how they go about the business. You need calm and mature heads to see the team through in different situations and that can be a bit challenging at times in this Windies side.

Johnson Charles is a bit of a weak link in that opening slot. The team could have included the more expansive Kyle Mayers in his place. Charles’ strike rate of 124.43 in powerplay overs of T20s isn’t attractive enough.

Shamar Joseph, who started his Test career with a bang, was a surprise inclusion in the squad. He has little to no experience in this format and warmed the bench in both PSL and IPL recently. Joseph can also prove to be costly and leak runs. He is the biggest weak spot in that 15-member squad.

Author’s view: West Indies cannot be taken lightly

West Indies are not the favourites for the World Cup with other top sides in with a better chance. However, WI will be happy to go into the tourney as the underdogs. There will be expectations at home but WI know they have to play consistently a productive brand of cricket to make it through. With the presence of star all-rounders, the Windies have what it takes to go long and strong. So therefore, one cannot take them lightly and they are a side with some serious chance to cause an uproar and stake claim to a semi-final place.

Players to watch out for

Nicholas Pooran: The star left-handed batter will back himself after an intense IPL. He scored 499 runs for LSG at 62.37, and his strike rate was 178.21. With 7000 runs scaled in T20s, Pooran is close to completing 500 sixes. He is a rare breed with plenty of charisma and vision. Pooran is also closing in on to become the top scorer for West Indies in T20Is.

Gudakesh Movie: Motie was superb for WI against SA in the first two T20Is, claiming three wickets in both games. The left-arm spinner will hope to wrap up the series on a strong note individually and stake his claim as WI’s main spinner at the World Cup ahead of Hosein. Motie averages under 18 with the ball for WI in T20Is. It’s a good start for the talented spinner.

West Indies’s schedule for the T20 World Cup

June 2, West Indies vs Guyana – Providence Stadium, Guyana (8:00 PM IST)

June 9, West Indies vs Uganda – Providence Stadium, Guyana (6:00  AM IST)

June 13, West Indies vs New Zealand – Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad (6:00 AM IST)

June 18, West Indies vs Afghanistan – Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia (6:00 AM IST)

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