ICC T20: West Indian squad profile

Two-time T20 World Cup champions Windies will begin their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign on 23 October where they will take on England in the opening match.

Kieron Pollard will be leading the team once again for this tournament and his leadership ability has drawn praises from all quarters.

If he can put the unit together and live up to the expectations, West Indies could win their third title.

The volatile nature of the West Indies team makes them a threat, as planning against them can be difficult.

And yet, the defending champions have showed volatile form.

They entered the tournament as favorites, yet lost their practice matches to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Strengths: 

West Indies has tremendous hitting power as the shorter format suits their batsmen.

Lewis has scored 164 runs in T20s this year at an average of 37, while Russell has scored 167 runs.

Pollard’s strike rate in the middle order has been over 163 since March 2019.

Since 2020, he has scored 252 (the highest runs in the world). Death overs at an average of 65.5.

Hetmyer’s strike rate in the recently concluded IPL was 168.

West Indies batting order is destructive from top to the middle order. Gayle, Pooran, and Bravo are also known to clear the field of their own free will.

Simmons and Chase can drop anchor if required.

Talking about the collective T20 experience, West Indies have the edge.

Between Pollard, Gayle, Bravo, and Russell, they has over 1,900 T20 matches.

On their day, West Indies can destroy any bowling attack.

Weakness: 

Gayle’s form remains a matter of concern.

He averages 21 this year at a strike rate of 128.

For West Indies this year the average has come down to 17 and the strike rate to 118.

During the IPL, he lost his place to Aiden Markram. 

Gayle’s average and strike rate are not good at no. 3.

He could be more useful while opening the inning. At No. 3, Gayle averages 24, with a strike rate of 126, whereas the average shoots 38 and the strike rate to 148 when he opens the batting.

If he has to add value with his batting, he needs to open.

Windies’ inexperienced bowling attack is a worrying sign.

In 2012 and 2016, they won tournaments under similar conditions, but at that time they had the support of Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree.

The pace department also lacks experience in these situations.

McCoy, who was brilliant this year, hasn’t played any T20 Internationals outside the West Indies. Rampaul has also returned to the international circuit after six years.

With Jason Holder not in the main team, a lot of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Bravo and Russell.

Hayden Walsh Jr lacks experience and Fabian Allen has been ruled out due to injury.

The non-selection of Narine might go on to hurt West Indies big. Chase is yet to make his T20I debut.

West Indies Squad

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

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