As the West Indies prepare for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India, February 7-March 8, they would want to quickly forget their 2025 performances. In five series (2 home and 3 away), they played 19 matches. They won seven (6), lost fourteen (12), and had one no-result, ending with a win percentage of 31.58%.
They lost both home series to Australia and Pakistan, respectively. They were convincingly beaten 5 nil by Australia in July and 2-1 by Pakistan in a closely contested series in July/August. The only series they won was a comprehensive 3 nil away to Bangladesh in October/November. After a promising start to the series against New Zealand in New Zealand, the West Indies lost the 5-match series 3-1, with one no-result, in November.
In their historic tour to Nepal in September, the West Indies “Unity Series” squad, led by Akeal Hosein, struggled in the first two matches before finding their footing in the final game, but by then, the series was already lost 2-1. The loss to Nepal was a landmark event in cricket history. In the second T20I on September 29, the West Indies were bowled out for just 83 runs, which set a record for the lowest-ever total by a Full Member nation against an Associate team in T20I history
Although some may seek to ‘justify’ Nepal’s loss by claiming it was not the strongest WI team, such a view only reinforces the continued inconsistency and decline in performance. The strength of a team depends on its bench, as in cricket, and this is extremely evident during the halcyon days of West Indies dominance (1980s), when the then West Indies ‘B’ team held its own against other countries. The West Indies brand was never compromised, especially against an Associate team.
Despite the poor performances, Shai Hope (185 runs) and Brandon King (160 runs) were the leading West Indies batters against Australia. Hope scored his maiden T20 hundred (102 not out of 57 balls) in the 3rd T20 in St. Kitts as the West Indies amassed 214 runs for 4 wickets. However, Tim David’s 102 not out of 37 balls led Australia to victory by 6 wickets. Hope also became the 5 West Indian batter to record a T20 hundred after Gayle, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, and Rovman Powell. Jason Holder led the bowling with seven (7) wickets.
In the Pakistan series, Jason Holder made history by surpassing Dwayne Bravo (78 wickets) to become the West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in T20Is by taking 4 wickets for 19 runs, leading the
West Indies to 2 wickets win in the 2nd T20. On the batting side, Sherfane Rutherford and debutant Jewel Andrew both finished with 71 runs, while Alick Athanaze scored 60 in the 3rd game.
In the forgettable series against Nepal, Amir Jangoo emerged as the top batter with 109 runs, including 74 not out in the 3rd match in an unbeaten opening partnership with Ackeem Auguste (41 not out) of 123 runs. Navin Bidaisee also impressed on debut with both bat (22 runs) and ball (3 wickets for 29 runs). Jason Holder was clinical in the first game with 4 wickets for 20 runs, and Ramon Simmonds 4 wickets for 15 runs in the dead rubber 3rd game.
In the series against Bangladesh, Shai Hope continued his fine batting with 101 runs in two matches, including 55 runs in the 2nd T20. Alick Athanaze scored 89 runs in his 3 innings, with 52 in the 2nd game, while Roston Chase (50) and Ackeem Auguste (50) registered half-centuries in the 3rd game. Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd both claimed 7 wickets, with Akeal Hosein taking 6, as the West Indies won the series comfortably 3-0.
In New Zealand, Romario Shepherd led the batting with 128 runs, followed by Rovman Powell with 91 runs and Shai Hope with 89 runs. Roston Chase was the leading bowler with 5 wickets, followed by Romario Shepherd and Matthew Forde with 4 wickets apiece.
Overall, Shai Hope was the leading T20 batter for 2025 with 405 runs with one century and three 50s, while Jason Holder took 29 wickets.
The West Indies batters and bowlers will have to perform with greater consistency if they are to present a strong challenge to India, South Africa, and Australia to win the 10th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in India, 2026.
