Two-time T20 World Cup champions West Indies are the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2024. They attained a direct qualification on account of being the hosts. The Windies are in the same group that has Afghanistan, New Zealand, PNG, and Uganda.
West Indies kick off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against PNG on June 2 followed by matches against Uganda (June 8), New Zealand (June 12), and Afghanistan (June 17).
West Indies failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2022. Losses to Scotland and Ireland knocked them out of the tournament. Thus being the hosts this time around, they will be hungry to win the third time.
The squad has some serious and seasoned T20 cricketers who ply their trade in various leagues across the World Cup. West Indies have the maximum players going and plying their trade in T20 leagues and thus this is their favorite format.
The team will be led by Rovman Powell. The team is filled with all-rounders and stroke makers. Two big names missing from the squad are Sunil Narine and Kyle Mayers. Senior players like Shai Hope and Jason Holder are part of the squad and Shamar Joseph is the X-Factor in the side. In this article, we predict the strongest playing combination for West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Strongest West Indies Playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2024
Batters: Rovman Powell, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Roston Chase
Charles and King might open the batting for West Indies with Nicholas Pooran slotting at three, Rovamn Powell at four, and Shimron Hetmyer at five. All these players are stroke makers and hence can give West Indies blazing starts in all their matches.
All-Rounders: Andre Russell, Jason Holder
Russell and Holder will be the two all-rounders playing for West Indies. After being eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2022, Holder spoke about his willingness to play and win the T20 World Cup for West Indies. Russell also came back to playing the format as he shares the same burning desire.
The duo can bat and bowl and Russell’s ability with the bat and ball in this IPL will give hope to the West Indies to go the distance. So far they are looking for a very well-oiled machine.
Wicketkeeper- Nicholas Pooran
Pooran will keep wickets for his side and bat at three. Shai Hope and Johnson Charles are the other keeper-batters in the side. The southpaw has shown tremendous form with the bat in IPL 2024 and his ability to strike big names him an automatic pick in the XI. Charles can be used as the other wicketkeeping option if the team requires it.
Bowlers: Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Akeal Hosein
The two Josephs Alzarri and Shamarh can lead the pace attack for West Indies. They will be followed by the likes of Russell and Holder in the seam bowling department.
Akeal Hosein will be the specialist left-arm spinner. Gudakesh Motie is the other option and can be used if the management thinks of him.
Thus both in bowling and batting, the team has enough firepower and depth to win matches for West Indies and pose problems for opposition players.
All the players know very well the conditions at home and thus will give themselves the extra motivation to do well at home and win another T20 World Cup trophy which is indeed a realistic chance.